Monogram Boutique

Wordless Wednesday~Senior Year

2011-11-02T08:36:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday to you all!

My Hayley is in her senior year of high school. LOVE HER!

Thought I'd share some of her senior pictures.

Not her senior picture but this is how i'll always remember her :)

Happy Senior year Hayley Jane Mills!

Thanks for stopping by and i'm jumping over to join Daphne at Flip Flops and Pearls for her Semi Wordless Wednesday!

Many blessings,

Laura

Wine Tote Tutorial

2011-10-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

I've been sooooo MIA! If anyone has had a daughter get married, I won't have to say any more :)

But I will say the only good thing is my 3 daughters are not close in age so I won't be going through this again any time soon! Well....I better not!

On top of that the little ones have moved on to All Star football and cheer and i'm coaching a younger age All Star cheer squad! Very proud of the kiddos and happy for them but i'm ready for a break!

In between all this and that I have done a few projects. One being this wine tote. It's very easy to make and even easier to give it an up-do and personalize if you want.

You'll need

1/2 yard cotton fabric for the exterior and handle

1/2 yard cotton fabric for the interior and handle lining

1/2 yard of insulated batting (I used the car headliner material. Same thing they make Koozies out of)

thread, scissors, pins and all that implies :)

Cut a 15" square from each fabric and batting/insulated material

Cut a 3"x10" from each fabric (for handle)

Baste the exterior fabric to your insulated piece or batting

Sew the right sides of the handle pieces together along one long edge. Press out the seam. Fold the opposite edges in by 1/2" and press. Then fold the wrong sides together and pin to hold in place.

Edge stitch along both edges for a neat finish and sew 2 more rows evenly through the middle.

Fold the exterior piece (the piece with the batting/insulation) with right sides together. Stitch along the side and bottom.

Fold the lining right sides together. Stitch along the bottom and stitch the side but leave about a 5" opening so you can turn the finished bag right side out.

With the lining right sides together, fold the corners out in the shape of a triangle. Make sure you center the side seam with the bottom seam. From 1 3/4" of the corner along the center seam, mark it. Stitch along this mark, repeat the opposite side and them trim off excess.

Do the same on the exterior bag piece,

Center one end of the handle over the exterior bag seam and pin.

Then pin the opposite end of the handle along the center of the opposite side of the exterior bag. Baste the handle on both sides.

Slide the exterior piece of the bag (right side facing out) into the interior piece (with the wrong side facing out) so the right sides of the 2 bags are together. Match up the edges and side seams (make sure the handle is tucked in) Pin and stitch around the top edge.

Pull the right side of the bag through the opening you left in the lining seam.

Hand stitch the opening closed and slip the lining into the bag.

Press the bag out and stitch along the top edge.

I sewed my Monogram Boutique tag on the inside of the handle but if you're making for a Christmas or hostess give would be cute to hand stitch out a little "To" and "From" message on the inside handle also.

Jazz it up a little with a row of tassels along the top edge or personalize with a monogram.

Note: if you're going to do the monogram don't center your monogram, you'll want to stitch it to the far left or far right. I didn't do that the first time around :(

These make really cute hostess gifts for the holidays or make one for yourself and throw away the brown paper bag you've been toting your favorite wine around in! lol

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

Come on back anytime or follow along with me if you like.

You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!

Many blessings,

Laura

Happy Fall Y'all

2011-10-26T09:57:00.000-05:00

I absolutely love, love, love this time of year!

Time to pick a pumpkin :)

These are too cute!

Make a sweet treat with the kiddos

Or an even sweeter for yourself :)

Starbucks cranberry bliss bar recipe

Brew up something warm and delish!

this looks so yummy!

But most importantly, welcome friends and family!

So all my friends out there (new and old), welcome to my blog.

Grab yourself a cup of salted caramel mocha and come on back and have a look around :)

I'm joining my friend, Daphne, over at Flip Flops and Pearls for her Semi Wordless Wednesday and Michelle at The Vintage Apple for her Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday.

Come on over and join in!

Many blessings,

Laura

Something you don't know

2011-10-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

A to Z?
Thought this was cute, not that anyone cares but i'm putting it out there anyway! lol!

A. Apples or oranges?: Apples any kind any way any day
B. Bed: King size with my flannel sheets and faux fur cover....cozy :)
C. Chore you hate: unloading the dishwasher...i would much rather load or wash by hand (i don't know why)
D. Dog: Big old Bear (our 12 year old chow mix) and Gerttie our one year old mutt (who drives me crazy but has the sweetest eyes)
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee, kids off to school, coffee, coffee, computer, coffee and yet more coffee
F. Favorite Color: Blues and purples
G. Gold or Silver: silver
H. Height: 5' 3" and i can't reach a darn thing in the cabinets!
I. Instruments you play: Piano, sax and a little guitar (i'm trying and it's hard!)
J. Job You Most Liked: I love my job know (stay at home mom) but even though it drove me crazy, being director of the day care was by far the most fulfilling and underpaid EVER
K. Kids: Catherine-22 (a.k.a. Cadey...getting married Saturday...if i don't kill her first), Hayley 17 (a.k.a Hayhay...you can txt her and just ask "how many?" and she'll reply with the number of days til she's 18), Katrina-10 (a.k.a Keke my little princess) and Bubba-7 (a.k.a. Jackson Wyatt Wayne Wilkerson...there's nothing to say but I adore this child!).
L. Live in: Mississippi y'all!
M. Make of Car: Gold PT Cruiser (that i'm bout ready to throw away but can't cause it's paid for)
N. Nicknames: My UPS man calls me sweet cheeks
O. Overnight Hospital Stays: C-Sections 4 of them :p
P. Pet Peeves: Being lied to
Q. Quote from a movie: “Son you got a panty on your head"
R. Right or Left Handed: Right
S. Scary Movies-yes or no: No thanks
T. T.V. Shows: I don't know why but I'm a news junkie and in hiding watch some reality tv....guess I like other peoples drama, just as long as it doesn't involve me.
U. Underware: Right now? sure
V. Vegetable You Hate: I don't like asparagus.
W. What makes you run late: More like what makes me on time
X. X-Rays: several of the same left ankle, couple of chest and a complete MRI before a few months after a fender bender and remarkably there is a brain in there
Y. Yummy Food That You Make: love to bake, wish i could master a good soup or stew....doesn't seem to be my forte'
Z. Zoo Animal: Love the zoo....hippos are my fav...they are big like me, lazy and just hang out in the water all day chillin'....that's the life!

Hope you're all having a beautiful Sunday!

Many blessings,
Laura

2011-10-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

I don't like writing sad posts but I came across one the other day who had lost her mom and it just brought back a flood of memories.

So no sadness here but just a moment of shared memories.

(Cadey, Hayley and my daddy 1997)

It's been 12 years today that I lost the man I called my dad. We don't share the same eyes, hair color, height, nose nor blood but most importantly we shared love, happiness and family.

He loved me like his own and honestly I never thought any different. I have a biological mom and dad out there somewhere but I never really think about being adopted until someone mentions it. I had a wonderful life with wonderful parents and was/am extremely blessed.

I love hearing about adoption stories because mine turned out so wonderful.

(Daddy and my Hayley 16 years ago)

My dad passed away while I was pregnant with Katrina and he was hoping I would be bringing a boy into this world. That didn't come until a few years later and we gave Bubba (Jackson Wyatt Wayne Wilkerson) a piece of daddy's name :)

(Daddy and Hayley 1994)

My mom misses him every day. They were first and only loves. She tells how she left her mommas side and straight to my daddy arms for almost 30 years. She stays true to their marriage and memories and still loves him to this day.

(Hayley, Cadey and Daddy 1994)

I just felt it needed to be spoken about what a wonderful man, husband, father, grandpa and most importantly child of God, Douglas Wayne Culbertson was and still is in our hearts.

Anyway, no sadness but lots of really great memories.

Many blessings y'all,

Laura

Did you win?

2011-10-10T07:45:00.003-05:00

First let me thank all my fabulous peeps for keeping up with my ramblings over the past year!

I think I might just be in the mood for a little change....whatcha think?

New direction?

We'll see.....soooooooooooo let me announce my super duper winner of my one year blog anniversary give away!

It's post number 5 (don't even ask me how to copy that random draw pic but it really is #5...promise)

Jana over at The Bees Knees!!!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

J, maybe this will be a little pick me up for all your moving dilemma and your little allergic outbreak :) Email me with your address and I'll get this in the mail for ya and give you the info on your online gifts!

Love me some Jana....she's a hoot! If you haven't checked out her blog drop on by and send her some well wishes :)

Thanks to everyone who signed up but mostly thanks for hanging out with me.

Many blessings y'all,

Laura

Last chance at give away!

2011-10-05T08:06:00.000-05:00

Just reminding you all to come on over and sign up for my give away here!

I'll be drawing a lucky winner tomorrow evening so hurry, hurry!

Hope you all have a happy Wednesday and good luck to you all!

Many blessings,

Laura

2011-10-03T07:00:00.003-05:00

The weather is perfect!

I for one am hap-hap-happy!

Want to remind you all, if you haven't signed up for my one year anniversary give away, hurry on over here! I'll be drawing on Thursday for a lucky winner!

Baked apples anyone?

I always make baked apples for the kids after school the first real cool day and it has arrived

Katrina kept asking is it time yet and yes it is!

You can put anything in these that you like. I use gala apples but of course granny smith bakes up good too. Core out the center. Make sure you get out all the seeds and what nots. I add plenty of butter (yum), brown sugar and cinnamon. It would be good with walnuts or pecans but my kids don't care for either of those :( if they weren't mini me's and he's then I would swear they switched them in the hospital!

Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 mins and not only does your house smell wonderful but you'll have a bunch of happy campers with a plate like this!

I hope you all are having beautiful Fall weather like we are!

Have a happy Monday and enjoy your day :)

Many blessings,

Laura

Surprise!

2011-09-29T16:21:00.000-05:00

Walking my crazy dog this morning....here's my surprise

Oh pretty red surprise lily, I've been waiting all year long for you!

So I felt good and decided to make some of these

Homemade vanilla cupcakes with seven minute icing

yum yum!

Tomorrow's Friday y'all!

Stop by here to join in on my one year anniversary give away!

Many blessings and surprises to you all,

Laura

You get what you need

2011-09-28T08:57:00.001-05:00

This song is completely fitting for my life

In the words of the great man Forest Gump...."That's all I have to say about that"

I'm joining my ham-bone friend Daphne over at Flip Flops and Pearls for her Semi Wordless Wednesday

Daph,

Girl i'd be training/running with you but this pic explains it all :)

If y'all haven't signed up for my 1 year blog anniversary GIVE AWAY, come on by here and join in! It's a GIVE AWAY y'all!! I've got some great sponsors who have joined in :)

Happy Wednesday

Many blessings,

Laura

Come join my anniversary give away!

2011-09-25T18:38:00.000-05:00

Happy weekend everyone!

I'll say it.............

WELCOME FALL!

We are busy, busy, busy over here this weekend. Today is football game, cheer picture, cheer game, wedding #1 and then wedding #2! Whew! I don't know if i'll make it out alive! lol

Y'all stop on by here and sign up for my one year blog anniversary give away. I've got some cool sponsors I know some of you are gonna love!

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Many blessings,

Laura

~1 year Blogaversary give away~

2011-09-23T13:31:00.000-05:00

Y'all come on in :)

Can you believe it's been a whole year? I can't. I can't even believe i've thought of anything to post about let alone anything someone other than me would find interesting or informative.

Well maybe y'all are just being polite! lol :)

I just wanted to say a big ole thank you to all my followers and some great cyber friends i've met along the way.

Some of y'all have been there and helped pick me up from a dreary day, some of you have just emailed me to see how i've been doing and there's been lots of you who just give me a good ole laugh right when I needed it the most......for that, I thank you all!

Sooooo.......i've got some little thank you gifts i'm going to be giving out to one lucky follower.

First up i've got Deanna from Birdsong Bows. Deanna has the absolute best hair bow tutorials i've ever seen and used. Beautiful follow along pictures too.

Deanna has graciously offered up a free tutorial of your choice. Y'all stop on by and check out her blog too for some free projects.

I seriously want to learn how to do these! They would be so beautiful in Christmas colors. Can't you see a tree covered in these!

How precious is this!! I'm telling you these tutorials are awesome!!!!

Next, I was recently contacted by My Memories scrapbooking website. They are offering one lucky follower a free copy of their software. I have to tell you, I really love this scrapbook software. It's not just for scrapbooking you can create digital scrapbooks, photobooks, cards, DVD's and calendars among other things.

They have tons of designs to choose from!

I'm definitely going to be using it to create my hang tags for my boutique clothing once I play around with it a little more.

And gonna make a little memory book for all the girls on my squad for the season :)

For now, My Memories is offering you guys a $10 coupon towards a software purchase and $10 coupon towards anything in their store. Just check out My Memories and when you get ready to check out use this code:

STMMMS7596

It's that easy!

Finally, I'm going to be giving away a really cute personalized wine tote and coasters from my personal shop, Monogram Boutique (i'll be posting a picture of these along with a tutorial later on next week). You can keep it for yourself or this would be a great hostess gift for someone with all these holiday parties coming up!

A Yankee candle basket full of little goodies!

A personalized key chain that perfect to hold your drivers license or business cards. I love mine!! I never have to dig around in my purse for my business cards.

I'm also throwing in a mason jar soap dispenser and 3 holiday hanging kitchen towels. You'll have one for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
You can see how to make those here and here.

Here's the rules!

1) Gotta be a follower so leave a comment saying you're following along with me :)

For extra chances to win....

2) Go check out Deanna at Birdsong Bows and comment here and let me know what your favorite tutorial is!

3) Stop by My Memories here and come back here to leave a comment on what your favorite digital layout is!

You can also go "like" or follow along with

4) & 5) My Memories on Facebook and Twitter

6) Birdsong Bows on Facebook

7) & 8) Monogram Boutique on Facebook and/or Twitter

Make sure you comment here on who, what, where, when and how you're following! LOL!!!

Y'all that's 8 opportunities to throw your name in the hat!!!

You don't need to leave separate comments you can just leave one comment listing what all you've done :)

I'll be using random drawing to pick a lucky winner on October 6th, which is my little man's 7th birthday. I couldn't pick a better day :)
So that gives you a good two weeks to sign up, spread the news and good luck to you all!

Thanks for all your support, inspiration and friendship and here's to many more years and friendships to come!
Cheers!

Many blessings,
Laura

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge Day 3 Halloween traditions

2011-09-21T18:14:00.000-05:00

Day 3 of Neely and Amber's Fall blog challenge is all about Halloween traditions and memories.

Oh how I love Halloween!!!

It's the kid in me :) or maybe just the hopes that I'll replenish my stash of Milky Way's! lol

I have so many fond memories of when I was young and going trick or treating. Back then we didn't go out and buy costumes, we scavenged through the house and came up with something. Nor did we have to take our bag of candy to the local hospital and have it x-rayed. My how times have changed.

My silly UPS man a couple years back

I still make memories with the little ones running around. I definitely don't try to buy the kids costumes and do for the most part make them myself. Although they would much rather go and buy the $25 cheap polyester costume from that mega store that sucks you in like a tornado when you drive by but I do my best to convince them otherwise :)

Every year I cook chili for us older folks and depending on mood i've been known to make homemade pizza for the younger ones. Always have apple dumplins and even though the weather is unpredictable down here that time of year, I make hot cocoa.

I love, love, love all the holiday movies and now I almost have to force the kids to watch Charlie Browns "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" but they watch it, even if it's under duress! lol

Bubba and our friend ready to load up on candy! That's right y'all we're driving around pulling a trailer with a golf cart!

The last few years we've headed over to this or that friends house for their party. We bring our trailer and load up all the kiddos on the back with some hay and make the loop around their neighborhoods. My neighbors are all elderly and as soon as the sun goes down they hit the bed so no trick or treating around here! lol

Anyway, we always enjoy Halloween around here and expect to have a blast again this year!

Do any of you out there have any traditions or fond memories?

Hope you all are having a fabulous week and stop on back by for my 1 year blogaversary give away post!

Many blessings,

Laura

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge Day 2

2011-09-20T10:03:00.001-05:00

Day 2 of the Fabulous Fall blog challenge is

Fall clothes, trends and makeup

I have to say, unlike my 10 year old daughter Katrina, I am by no means any fashionista.

See around here it's a comfy pair of jeans and good pair of boots.

Santa better have these under the tree this year

My new favorite fall/winter color Razorback red....heck yeah!!!

See I'm just a t-shirt kinda girl (I will wear this to the PTO meetings at school :) )

hey y'all

and I will top it off with a good hat. Of course mine has my sterling silver razorback bling!

And sadly for some of you runway models, this is what I would happily walk outta the house wearing if my UPS man were taking me to somewhere special :)

Where's the makeup you ask?

Well all I really wear is lip gloss and a good mascara. The Avon glazewear is my absolute favorite lip gloss and the new Maybeline colossal is an awesome mascara!

Plain and simple y'all, that's the way I like it!

Happy Tuesday y'all! Come on by and join me in the Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge over at Neely and Amber's.

If you wanna see some of our family fall traditions check out my day 1 post here.

Don't forget to come on back by this week for my 1 year blogaversary give away!

Many blessings,

Laura

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge Day 1

2011-09-19T09:19:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

I'm joing Amber and Neely this week (and hopefully next) for their Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge Day.

Today's challenge is Fall Traditions.

Seeing as i'm a big Fall/Winter kinda girl I load up the family with traditions, sometimes overload if you ask them so don't ask them!

I used to watch 'Martha' back in the day (the 90's for those who don't know my days) and she made baked apples, cored out with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon in them.

This are the one thing that doesn't change up from my routine. The first cool day in September I make a batch of these for the kids when they get home after school. My goal is to make a comfort memory for them to remember when they get older and families of their own. I also make a easy baked apple dumplin recipe that they love and i'll be sharing that later on with you :)

I'm also a big Halloween mom! I love dressing the house and the kids up, even though the kids are old enough to pick out their own and don't wanna be what I want them to be anymore :( The house is decked out and we will be trick or treating at old town square (just blocks away). It's really fun to see all the old antique shops, bakery's and clothing stores "dressed up" for Halloween!

Katrina, Bubba and Hayley

We go pick out pumpkins and carve them up. My Hayley has really been getting into the pumpkin carving thing. All I can do is the eyes, nose and mouth in triangles!

That's my little Cowboy #27 on the right and Katrina cheering on her Cowboys! How cute are they!!!

Of course from August through mid November we are riddled with football and cheerleading. Go Cowboys :) The kids keep us running on Saturdays watching their games and I wouldn't have it any other way.

VS.

Then there's the Arkansas and Ole Miss game. Since i'm a Razorback kinda girl who married a Rebel we are a little house divided and have got to watch that game for sure! I'm fairly sure my Hogs are gonna stomp those Rebels this year :) Get ready!!!

Pumpkin spiced latte at Starbucks is back in season but I also like the comfort of my own home and my pumpkin spiced Coffeemate creamer. Cheaper and I don't have to leave the house :)

Well those are some of my Fall traditions.

I hope you all are having a wonderful week and if you have a chance, stop on by Neely and Amber's blog and join in on the Fall festivities!

If you follow me or would like to follow along, please do! I've got my 1 year blogaversary coming up this week and have a fabulous give away planned!!!!

Many blessings,

Laura

Chocolate Peanutbutter Eclair cake anyone?

2011-09-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

Ok this cake is just about to die for! I made it in a matter of minutes and then texted a picture to my UPS man.

He was trying to figure out all day what he had done right to deserve me making the cake. I'll never let him know I saw it on Plain Chicken's website and couldn't wait to try it.

Look now if y'all haven't stopped by and visited Stephanie, you don't know what you're missing!!

She's got some of the best tasting recipes, easy directions, quick and simple. Just the way I need it for this busy family (especially during football season!)

Whew!

they are wearing me out

Anyway here's the recipe and a pic of mine. Of course they aren't as pretty as Stephanie's but who cares cause it was delish!!!!!

(um Stephanie @Plain Chickens pic) (and my pic)

Stephanie's pic/my pic, Stephanie's pic/my pic, Stephanie's pic/my pic

Please y'all there is no need to let me know how sad my pic looks up next to hers. I must advise you that after making and tasting it, I could care less what it looks like....it's scrump-diddle-e-umptous

Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair Cake

1 box chocolate graham crackers (there will be a few graham crackers left over)

2 (3 1/4-ounce) boxes vanilla instant pudding

1 cup peanut butter

3 1/2 cups milk

1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed

1 can chocolate frosting

Spray the bottom of a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with whole graham crackers. In bowl of

an electric mixer, mix pudding with milk and peanut butter; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped

topping. Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Place another layer of whole graham crackers on top of

pudding layer. Pour over remaining half of pudding mixture and cover with another layer of graham crackers.

Heat the container of prepared frosting, uncovered in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour over the top of the cake.

Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving.

Refrigerate for 12 hours!!!!! Seriously?!?!?!?!?!?! I don't know who she was kidding cause I didn't think I was gonna be able to wait till the kids got home from school. AND 12 hours we did not make it too. I guess I should strongly advise you wait the 12 hours cause it does need to set but if you can't, like me, then it's just as good all unset! :)

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

I am busy working on Christmas items and football and cheer team gifts. Ahhhh!!!! What do you get 18, 9 & 10 year old boys that's not girly?

Yeah, I don't know either :(

Many blessings,

Laura

Ahhh Grandparents Day :)

2011-09-14T10:36:00.000-05:00

It's true, being a grandparent is just about the best thing in the world :)

Hanging out with Lala (me) at Uncle Bubba's football game

Drake and lil' Uncle Bubba running the field after Katrina cheered her team on to victory! Never noticed it until I posted but look how beautiful the sun coming through those clouds are :)

And just hanging out with Skippy (my UPS man) and helping work on the "project" truck

After church and back to mommas. A moment of just pure sweetness :)

I hope i'm this and much more :)

Happy Wednesday y'all!

I'm joining my hambone friend Daph over at FF&P for her Semi Wordless Wednesday!

Y'all come on over!

Many Blessings,

Laura

Hanging towel tutorial

2011-09-06T15:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Tuesday y'all!

I've got an easy, easy and cute hanging kitchen towel tutorial for you all.

You don't have to be a professional seamstress! If you can push a pedal and go in a straight line, you can do this!

You'll need

Kitchen towel any size and color (I get a pack of 8 or 10 bar mops at WM for like $6)

7/8" size ribbon double the width of your towel

1" size ribbon or fabric (you'll need enough to go across the towel twice and enough to trim the bottom if you like)

sewing machine :)

I used this sunflower ribbon to do this towel. It was cute and fallish (cause i'm so wishing for cooler weather). I actually had just enough ribbon left to make one.

You can also use fabric and cut it 1 1/2" wide and 1/2" longer than the towel.

If you use the fabric press all 4 edges in 1/4". If you use ribbon skip this step.

Sew the ends under

Pin one ribbon at the top of the towel. Line it up with the edges and go to the oven or wherever you're going to be hanging it. Fold it over the handle and mark where the top of your other ribbon should start. Pin the other ribbon in place and sew both ribbons down the length of the towel. Make sure you back

stitch. Don't sew the end edges on the towel! These stay open!

If you're going to add trim or fabric at the bottom follow the same steps by pressing edges under and sewing around all 4 edges.

Grab your smaller ribbon and thread through the ribbon and back through the other side. You can either cut it and tie it at both ends or pull through and keep one end looped and tie off the other end. Either way make sure you seal off your ribbon ends. To seal the ribbon ends, just heat the ends with a lighter quickly so it will seal them up and keep them from fraying.

Now you're ready to hang!!!!

Use your imagination and holiday spirit and make one for all occasions and holidays! These make great hostess gifts or use some scrap Christmas fabric and make your friends some holiday gifts. Would be great to make a couple of these and pair up with a mason jar soap dispenser or match stick holder in a cute basket for a hostess gift. You can get those tutorials here and here.

Hope you all are having a great week! This weather here is A-Mazing! Let's hope it's here to stay :)

I'll be linking up with Ms. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Tammy over at Type A for her Anything Goes party
and
Today's Creative Blog for Get your craft on

Many blessings,

Laura

Senior year

2011-09-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

Well my 2nd daughter, Hayley, has entered her Senior year of High School. What an exciting year for her but so many emotions for me.

I'm filled with hope for her and her future and anxiety mixed with worry that she gets into her college of choice and makes the best decisions for her and her future.

As I get my daily fix on Pinterest i've come across these quotes that remind me of my Hayley.

This about sums her up :)

This happens to her ALL the time

yep, she has a list of these folks

And this just about sums up my feelings for Hayley along with all the other kids.

I am mom.

Your mom :)

Be thankful.

Everyday.

I love you my Hay-hay! Me and Skippy are very proud of the confident, outspoken and beautiful young lady you've become.

Love you always,

Momma

Thanks for stopping by and hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

Many blessings,

Laura

Pinning on a lazy Sunday

2011-09-04T16:30:00.000-05:00

What a lazy Sunday. We've been just hanging out and watching movies with the kiddos. It's been sprinkling on and off around here and looks like this heat wave just might be headed on out the door! Yay!!!

lol!! He can have it!

Let's make way for Fall!!!

So we all probably know and love Pinterest by now. If you don't I highly suggest you go check it out. It's just a wonderful little cyber world full of DIY inspirations, beautiful pictures, recipes and some great and funny quotes among many, many other things. It's also a fun way to see what your friends and followers like and are inspired by too.

I never really thought about Pinterest being anything other than my go to spot for inspiration and my place to "house" such said inspirations but it can easily become a great social media tool for your blog or website.

Just like Facebook or Twitter you can easily add a Pinterest button for your followers to follow along with you.
First you'll need to get a Pinterest account if you don't have one already. If you are needing an invite, just let me know and i'll be happy to do that for you. It's much faster to start up through an invite than waiting for the Pinterest team to approve you for an invite.

Once you get set up just go check out the "goodies" section under your "about" tab you will find easy instructions to add a "Follow me" Pinterest button.

Here's how to grab a Pinterest button

http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/
There's a few different styles to choose from and they will all link everyone back to your account.

You can also find directions to add a "Pin it" button to your website.

What's really cool is to see who's pinned something from your blog or website.
I checked mine out and had a ton of folks pinning my Mason Jar Soap Dispenser tutorial. Which was by the way, the easiest thing i've EVER made!!!!! lol

To see who's been pinning you and what they've been pinning, just copy this link and add your website or blog address and you'll be able to see who pinned what. It's really kinda cool :)

http://pinterest.com/source/monogramboutiquems.blogspot.com/

That's about all for my lazy Sunday. Every time I say that or hear someone say "lazy Sunday" I totally think of the SNL skit "Lazy Sunday". (Mr. Pibb + Redvines = crazy delicious..it's all about the Hamiltons baby!) Makes me laugh every time! :)

Y'all check back with me this week, i've got a really, really cute hanging kitchen towel tutorial to show you. It's way easy and a great project to alter around for all the holidays coming up.

I've also got a big 1 year blog anniversary coming up at the end of the month with some great give aways! You won't want to miss out :)

Y'all have a great Sunday!

Many blessings,
Laura

Best Fudge Cake Ever!!

2011-08-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Best Fudge Cake Ever!!!

For real!

I have to say if you've ever made a Hershey's cocoa cake it's pretty similar but this is a fast and easy cake to throw together while the kiddos are at school. I frosted it with a buttercream icing but it would be really good with a fudge icing or ganache.

Fudge Cake

4-1/2 oz. (1 cup) all-purpose flour

1 oz. (1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons) unsweetened natural cocoa powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. table salt 4 oz. (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted and warm 1-1/4 cups packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/2 cup hot water

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 350 F. Grease the bottom of an 8x2- or 9x2-inch round cake pan.

In a small bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Add the eggs and vanilla; stir until well blended. Add the flour mixture all at once and stir just until all the flour is moistened. Pour the hot water over the batter; stir until the batter is smooth. Scrape the batter into the pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes for a 9-inch pan; 35 to 40 min. for an 8-inch pan. Let cool in the pan on a rack for 10 min. Run a thin knife around the edge and invert the cake (peel off the parchment if necessary). Invert it again onto the rack and let cool completely.

Once cool, time to ice the cake. If you're going to use a ganache then set the rack over a baking sheet or foil. Pour the warm ganache over the cake and use an icing spatula to spread it over the top of the cake and down the sides. Let set for about an hour before serving. If you're going to use a buttercream icing just make sure cake is completely cool and ice as usual.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by y'all. Hope you're having a wonderful week!

Many blessings,

Laura

Princess + Ghost = AMAZING

2011-08-29T07:00:00.003-05:00

Hey y'all!

I have to tell you it's been hard, very hard on my family the last couple of weeks. School started back up on the 4th, football practice is in full swing, I somehow got suckered into being my daughters cheer coach (btw i'm not a cheerleader) and to top it off, we've had some major family issues are going on. Y'all just pray for us all. I'm usually a pretty strong mom, friend, daughter and person in general but this has really been stressing me out and testing my faith.

Yep, so move on! My momma always said "I promise you if you throw yourself a pity party no one will come"......ok at 8, 13 and maybe even 20 something I didn't get it but now I do. ;)

SOOOOO let's sew or craft :)

I saw this on Pinterest and had to make one!!! These are by far not the best directions but it does the job.

Forgive the pictures as I am not a photographer.

You're gonna need white tulle, thin elastic, ribbon, white ribbon and some black fabric scraps (sewing machine optional).

For this project I made it to fit a little one who's about 15 months old and is wearing 12mths clothes. The chest measurement was 21" and from under the arm to the floor is 23". You'll want to measure the little ones chest and from underneath arm to floor.

I had the tulle already bought on a roll so I used that but you can purchase it by the yard and cut into 2" strips. I cut around 55 40" strips.

Cut the elastic a 1" to 1 1/2" smaller than the chest measurements.

I double knotted the elastic and also run a few hand stitches through the knot for support but you can machine stitch it together if you like.

I put my elastic around a book (yes Martha) to make it a little easier for me.

Take a strip of tulle and fold in half.

Run the folded end under the elastic or ribbon and pull the loose ends up through the folded loop.

Tighten it up but not too tight, just enough to keep it secure.

Keep on keepin' on till you get all the way around.

Find where you want the front to be and you can either knot the ribbon that ties around the little ones neck or you can do a quick machine stitch or you can leave the halter ribbon off.

Next you'll want make the eyes and mouth. I just drew out some shapes on a piece of paper and pinned on the netting to see how the size and placement looked. I did have to play around with the size a bit.

Cut out the eyes and mouth with your scrap fabric.

I hand stitched the fabric on one top layer of netting to 1st make sure it looked ok and 2nd to keep it secure before applique stitching. You can leave it hand stitched or add some fray check and glue onto the netting. You can also glue a little piping trim around the edges to cover up any fray. I preferred to run an applique stitch around the edges.

When you get done, try it on the little one to make sure the length is good. Trim it up if you need too but don't make it too perfect, she is a little ghost :) My little "fill in" princess wasn't too happy with me or anyone that day :( but she's still cute!

So there you have a little ghost fit for a princess!

Hope you guys enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Many blessings,

Laura

Summer yummies

2011-08-28T22:31:00.000-05:00

Look at what someone brought to me today from their garden

They are officially my new BFF!

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes and more tomatoes!

And a bag of peppers. Needless to say the tomatoes didn't last long and I made lots and lots of pepper sauce!

Hope you all are having a great end of Summer!

Many blessings,

Laura

Ready for Autumn

2011-08-10T16:49:00.000-05:00

It's hot......too hot.......I'm melting

This is me about 3 hours into the day

I'm ready for Fall

I love the fall......

The colors

The smell of wood burning

Fresh air (not this humid stuff)

Comfort food that will warm you up

And beautiful natural decorations for the home :)

I'm ready....are y'all?

I'm headed over to Flip Flops and Pearls for Semi Wordless Wednesday.

Have a wonderful day :)

and

Many blessings,

Laura

Did you win?

2011-08-08T19:47:00.000-05:00

Congrats!

Ms. Paula at Raising Home is my winner of my 100th post give away!

Paula if you'll email me your info i'll get this sent out to ya!

I have to say i've met some great blogger friends out there who I follow along with on my Twitter,

Facebook

and now my newest addiction Pinterest.

(if you'd like to follow along with me on any of these, just click on a pic or need an invite just let me know!)

Some of y'all out there are a riot and I enjoy our cyber time together for sure....I'm gonna make us some shirts one day! lol

So thanks to Paula and all my followers old and new for following along with me and giving me some great advice and wonderful inspiration.

Here's to many more posts and many more great blogger friends :)

Blessings,

Laura

Drawing for my 100th give away!

2011-08-04T18:10:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to sign up for my 100th post give away here!

4 lace napkin rings, a cookie jar towel holder and 4 napkins with free monogramming if you like :)

If you're already a follower, you're in! If you want a couple extra chances just follow along on my Facebook or Twitter.

Look i'm down here just trying to survive this heat!!!! I can just walk out the house and i'm sweating like Satan's wife! lol!

I'll be drawing the winner and hopefully posting sometime this weekend :)

Thanks for all you wonderful followers who give me great advice and leave such precious comments!

Many blessings,

Laura

Cheer camp hair bows!

2011-08-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hey y'all!

Thought i'd show you my quick pinwheel hair bows that I whipped up for Katrina's cheer squad for cheer camp.

I'm gonna tell ya, you don't know what you're missing until you've been to cheer camp. I will also say that it was quite a shock during the awards ceremony that they asked us coaches to come up front and do our best kick or jump. What's even more shocking is the fact that I made it up off the floor and back down without severely hurting myself! LOL! Thank goodness my UPS man wasn't fast enough with the camera for that one :)

Anyway, here's a simple pinwheel hair bow.

You can make these curly ribbons by wrapping them around a dowel rod. I secure the ends with clothes pins. Put them on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake for 20 mins on 250. It does come up a little stink baking those ribbons so you might want to turn a fan on or open a window for a bit.

They'll come out looking like this.

Take your pin wheels and add the curly ribbons or whatever flair you like.

I also like to add covered buttons from matching dresses.

Or look at these cute theme buttons i'll be putting on the girls football hair bows for the games.

Hot glue your pin wheels to the hair barrette or clip (I use lots of hot glue). Pull off any fly away glue webs and you've got a cute hair bow.

Once you get the hang of it, it literally takes about 30 minutes from start to finish!

If you'd like a full tutorial on making pinwheel hair bows or the boutique bows, check out Birdsong Bows. Deanna has the best tutorials and if you follow her on Facebook, she is always doing a flash sale here and there and you can find great deals!

I'm going to be linking to Get Your Craft on Tuesday over at Today's Creative Blog.....come on over and join me :)

If you haven't stopped by and signed up for my 100th post give away you better hurry!!!! I'll be drawing a winner on Friday!

Thanks for stopping by and come back soon!

Many blessings,

Laura

Things that made me happy today

2011-07-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

I don't know about you but it's hotter than hades around here! I think i've told you about signing up to be my daughters coach for her cheer team.....what was I thinking!

We had our first practice today and the girls are just as sweet as can be but man oh man was it hot out there. I wasn't even doing much and in the shade and I came out drenched!

All I can say is i'm glad I went this morning and got all my hair cut off, like around 16 inches. When I got done it looked like a sasquatch lying in the floor! LOL It sure does feel better though.

I mean look at this mess!!!! It's just ri-DQ-lous that I let my hair get this long and scraggly! That hot mess just gets thrown up in a pony tail ALL THE TIME! My MIL was a hair dresser for 30 something years and had her hair shop in the basement, so my UPS man grew up around women changing their hair a LOT and here I am barely getting it cut once a year!

I just wanted to show you some things I picked up today that just made my week :)

My Lilly organizer came with Mr. Brown today! I *heart* Lilly and organization :)

I got a $10 off $10 or more coupon from Pier 1. I never go there cause I just about want EVERYTHING and can't afford it but I thought i'd look and I'm glad I did cause I hit the clearance sections and found these cool things.

A candle :) who doesn't like candles?

These cute butterfly drawer knobs. I think i'm going to somehow mount them in the bathroom to hang towels and robes on.

These place mats....these beauties were only .98 each. You can't even buy fabric like that and make yourself for that price!

This is my favorite....I am in love with these wine glasses.....i'm going to drink EVERYTHING out of them, especially wine ;) lol

My most favorite moment of the day is that out of all these things I only spent like $4 after my coupons and discounts :) Now that makes me happy!

Anyway, I hope to have a couple more posts this week/weekend, things are just hectic during the Summer months and school is starting next week it's a mad rush to get things in order and the kiddos ready for another year!

If you haven't stopped by and signed up for my 100th post give away, please do! You can go check it out here!

Thanks for visiting and y'all stay cool out there :)

Many blessings,

Laura

Wordless Wednesday with words :)

2011-07-26T21:28:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

I just had to throw out some of my favorite quotes that I found on Pinterest. I can't help but be in love with that site. I'm going to need and intervention soon....it's a toss up between Pinterest and the Real Housewives series.

That's right, I threw it out there, I watch the Housewives series....it don't matter which one just whichever is more dramatic! I can't help it! It makes me feel better about myself after watching those rich crazies.

Y'all don't even act like you don't watch it....I know there's more of you out there secretly watching...it's ok :)

Now, on to some of my fav's this week :)

See y'all, great things happen to me ALL the time :)

So true, so true

This one makes me laugh every time...hehe

I can confirm this :)

I seriously saw this and thought....yep it really was 20+ years ago.....man where did time go and then I thought "well, heck let's just do 20 more!!!!!!"

Hope you all are having a great week! If you haven't stopped by and signed up for my 100th post give away, please go check it out here!

I'm joining Kristi from The Pink Owl who's filling in for Daph at Flip Flops and Pearls, for her Semi Wordless Wednesday. Stop by and join in if you like!

Many blessings,

Laura

100th post and GIVEAWAY!

2011-07-20T11:11:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday y'all!

Well can you believe this is my 100th post? I sure can't! My husband said he couldn't believe I found 100 things to write about (i'm not much of a talker).

So i've looked back and i'm thinking, yeah, I really don't have much to say but oh well, i've had fun :) and i hope you all have enjoyed reading and following along.

I have a little give away planned for my 100th post and it's not much but it is all handmade by me :) (with one exception)

I'm giving away 4 lace napkin rings in your choice of color. I'm showing you a pic of one flatened so you could see the detail. I'm also showing them in black so you could see the picture more clearer but I can do them in white, camel, red or green (great for Christmas right around the corner) pretty much any color you like.

A set of 4 napkins from World Market and i'll be more than happy to monogram whatever you like on each one.

and a cookie jar towel holder. These are really cute and I love them. My mom used to have these but the actual hanger part was crocheted and was attached to the towel. Well I wish I could crochet but I can't crochet to save my life!

Like I said, not much but just something a little special from me just to say thanks for following along :)

No need to jump through hoops to enter. All my followers will already be entered and for an extra entry, just leave me a comment. If you want a 3rd and 4th entry, click here and follow along on my Facebook and Twitter and be sure to leave a comment here or there to let me know you did!
The winner will be chosen on August 5th by random drawers or possibly my live in shark :)

Thanks again to all of you out there for so much inspiration and laughs these past 100 posts! Now on to the bigger challenge, 100 more! lol

Many blessings,

Laura

Easy weekends

2011-07-18T23:11:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

Well another Summer weekend gone with the wind or if you're where i'm at gone with the haze cause there's not been much of a breeze lately.

We've had a busy Summer and it's almost over for the kids. They go back to school August the 4th so we're trying to squeeze in every fun minute we can :)

My UPS man had acute appendicitis like 2 days after we returned from our vacation in June so he's been off work and has finally been cleared to go back at the end of the week. It's actually been nice having him around. The kids sure do like having daddy around at night. We've also had his daughter staying for a few days while she's out of school too, so it's been a full house around here! I'll be so lonely when they go back to school....NOT!

I've also signed up to be my daughters cheer coach.......what in the world was I thinking.....y'all I can't cheer, I can barely lift my leg up over, well over anything! Her poor team didn't have a coach this year and it was cutting it down to the wire so I said ok. I'm sure it'll be ok. I'm sure i'll be ok. I pray i'll be ok. Please pray that i'll be ok.

I'm gonna need a couple gallons of these before it's all said and done! LOL

So needless to say we've been busy as most of you out there have, so i'm just gonna show you some cute little pics from the past couple weeks :)

Sisterly love :)

This is my 3 year old niece...she did not want her picture taken with her t-ball team...their team is called the Mudbugs! So appropriate. Y'all it took us like 30 minutes to get her to let them take a single picture so when it came time for the team pic, well you can forget that! She's a trip!

I've also been doing a lot of sewing. Right about time I get one done someone is buying it and i'm making another one! I'm not going to complain :) This is one of my happy little customers....isn't she a cutie! Her mom said she couldn't wait to try it on. Now that's a true southern girl with some great taste :)

Get the dress. Wear immediately!

This week i've got a couple of "party" dress requests and then y'all I gotta get busy for the holiday's! They'll be here before you know it!

Well that's all for today! Now this is post #99 :) so it's looking like Wednesday you'll want to come on back by and sign up for my 100 post give away!

Hope you all had a great Monday!

Many blessings,

Laura

The bacon Gods have spoken!

2011-07-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

I found this website last week or so called Plain Chicken and Stephanie has the bestest recipes EVAH!!! If you're looking for something quick that will please everyone, she's got it!

I should just fore warn y'all that this will no doubt be devoured upon release from the oven. I at first didn't understand why she "a.k.a.'d" it "crack bread" but now I know :)

My family seriously ska-dooshed (a Kung fu Panda move) the whole loaf within minutes!

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls (a.k.a. Crack Bread)

1 unsliced loaf of (round is preferable) sourdough bread

8-12 oz cheddar cheese, thinly sliced (I used shredded cheese)

3 oz bag Oscar Mayer Real Bacon bits (I also used real bacon)

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 Tbsp Ranch dressing mix

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust.

Place slices of cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread.

Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

I did use about 6-8 slices of real bacon instead of bacon bits and you could probably use the turkey bacon if that's your thing but this is a southern home so real bacon it is!

Anyway, I hope you all have a chance to whip this little masterpiece up! It's on my shopping list again by ~~demand~~ request from my pickiest, youngest eater :)

I'm linking up with Flip Flops & Pearls for a Recipe Swap come on over and join me.

Don't forget to drop by here and sign up for my 100th post give away!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Many blessings,
Laura

Beating the heat!

2011-07-13T20:37:00.000-05:00

Hey y'all!

It's been a busy, busy and super hot week! We are for sure scorching around here so I had to get some cooling off inspiration from my favorite place, Pinterest.

For sure the most refreshing drink ever! Right now I would dump that bucked of ice on my head!

Yummy!

These are obviously a sin..................

Ice cream cupcakes?!?!!! ~shut the front door!~ Whoever thought of these needs to move in with me immediately!!! I am in love with this idea!

If this is true then I must be the most awesomest mom EVEAH!

Thanks for taking a moment to get out of this heat and stop by.

I'm going to be joining Wes from Life Through Preppy Glasses who is filling in for my girl Daph at Flip Flops & Pearls for Semi Wordless Wednesday. Come on by and join in!

Don't forget to come back this week I'm quickly approaching 100 posts and have got a little give away planned for you all!

Thanks again and many blessings,

Laura

Homemade Salsa

2011-07-11T20:08:00.002-05:00

Hey y'all

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. We had a house full of kids and doing what we can to try and beat the heat. It's a losing battle right now!

I don't know about y'all but I'm fixing to just get in the pool and stay there! lol!

Here's a few pics of our weekend :)

Friday I took my hubby with me on my usual Walgreens run so he could see how I get "free stuff". This was about $120 worth of items and I ending up spending $35. He was impressed :)

Saturday I had to drop a couple of pillowcase dresses I had made for my friends little girl. The pink and zebra was her favorite and it is awfully cute.

Katrina wanted me to make her a bandanna halter top....that took me all of like 3 minutes to make....that's the kind of projects I love!

Hayley and Katrina....the wig makes her look like the girl on the Doodlebops and kinda creeps me out.

Every year I try to can some home made salsa, even though it usually doesn't last very long, it's well worth it in my house!

Sunday I made us some salsa. I put up 5 pints and 3 quarts. Note that one pint is missing already! lol!

Daddy made a tire swing too and that's the first thing Bubba goes and gets on in the morning....best pick up off the side of the street investment we've ever made!

Oh and isn't he the most handsomest grandson ever! :)

Well that's about all for me....I've been looking at my posts and notice i've almost hit 100 posts!!! I think I just might do a little give away when I achieve this daring feet, so make sure you come back this week :)

Many blessings,

Laura

~True love~

2011-07-05T22:00:00.001-05:00

Hey y'all

I'm Laura and I'm filling in for my girl Daph for her {semi} Wordless Wednesday!
I just love her and I hope she's enjoying some peace and family time ;)

I have a little blog over at Monogram Boutique so if you have a chance just drop on in and say hi!

Hope you all enjoy my post! It's a little mushier than my usual so hang in there with me :)

Just a country girl from Arkansas

And a rebel born and raised in Mississippi

"Where'd you meet?" Everyone asks. "Chuck E Cheese" is always our reply. It's our story :)

True love? It's simply more than that......eternal love

12 years and 2 beautiful children later and I love him as much, if not more, as the first moment I caught him looking at me. You know really looking at me.

Happy anniversary to

My best friend, my hope for the future, my one love.....let's do 12 more :)

Now let's link up everyone! Don't forget to grab a badge and show some love when you visit!

Everyone needs a little love :)

Y'all come by and see me sometime and follow along if you like!

Thanks and many blessings!

Laura

Match stick jar

2011-07-05T08:00:00.008-05:00

Hello ya'll

I've found the neatest idea on Pinterest the other day and thought I'd share my version with you.

I hate to throw away jars. Period. I save my jelly, pickle and really just any type jar. For some reason if it's glass I think I must keep it because it'll come in handy some day.

Now I apologize for the picture quality, I've left my camera at my BIL's house and haven't been back to get it. :(

Here's a cool way to hold those matches from your match boxes. We bought a pack of like 12 boxes from the dollar store while we were out on vacation and I don't know about you but if we leave those little boxes lying around here and there they get lost, wet, ruined or all of the above.

So I got a Smuckers jar (keep the lid), this one had pineapple ice cream topping in it (yummy!), matches and small square of material (sorry I left out the pic of the material).

I cut the strikers off the side of the match boxes and hot glued one on each side of the jar and saved the rest in case I might need them to replace any worn ones in the future. I don't see why you can't save them in the jar with the matches.

Hot glued the fabric on the top of the lid and then also around the rim of the lid. Then I used pinking shears to cut the fabric down to size. For all you spray paint fans out there, you know who you are, you could easily paint the lid or also use some chalkboard paint. This just works for me and I had it on hand!

Fill the jar with the matches and viola!

Easy-easy! Takes all of 15 minutes. Of course you will want to be careful when striking the matches and make sure you're striking away from the fabric covered lid.

I've seen these done on a tutorial I found on Pinterest and they used mason jars and took the lids apart and glued some sand paper to the lid to use as a striker. Cute also!

These will be great in a house warming basket or for hostess gift with a bag of marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers! You know what I have in mind ;)

Anyway, hope you liked my little tutorial!

I'm going to be linking up with Creative Blog for Get Your Craft On Tuesday
Type A for Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime or follow along if you like.

You can also find me on Facebook at Monogram Boutique or follow along with me at my Twitter and Pinterest account name "lawilkerson". Send a shout out and i'll follow you back!

Thanks all and many blessings,

Laura

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-02T08:00:00.001-05:00

Hey ya'll

Thought i'd post a little patriotism :)

As we all gather together with food, family and friends

As we proudly hang old glory for all to see

As we enjoy the evenings festivities of sparkles and flash

As we come together to, one nation, to celebrate

Let us remember those who have served, those serving and those who have fallen

Most importantly never forget the one who is in control and relish in our freedom to choose.

Hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July weekend and get to enjoy time with your family and friends.

Have moments

Make memories

and

Love all

Many blessings,

Laura

I got the fever!!!

2011-06-28T22:00:00.009-05:00

"Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!"

I love that SNL skit! lol

I do have the fever....the fever to change up this house!!!!

When we get to feeling better we're for sure going to be doing some floor sanding and staining. A color along these lines. With a light colored wall. "natural wicker" is the color :)

I want a new table too....this is for sure it!

I know this isn't for for everyone but I love these lights

and copper everywhere :)

this is too easy and inexpensive not to do! Maybe this will be first :)

I'm joining my girl Daph over at Flip Flops and Pearls for her Semi Wordless Wednesday. Stop on by and join in :)

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime or follow along if you like.

You can also find me on Facebook at Monogram Boutique or follow along with me at my Twitter and Pinterest account name "lawilkerson". Send a shout out and i'll follow you back!

Thanks all and many blessings,

Laura

Mason jar soap dispenser

2011-06-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Ok ya'll this is too easy not to do!!!!

I say this on Pinterest. If you don't know what Pinterest is you HAVE to go check it out!!! So many inspiring DIY projects and beautiful pictures. I love it!! If you want to join you can sign up for it but it takes FOREVER or you can get an invite from a member. If you're interested, just let me know and i'll shoot you an invite. That's the faster way!

Any way. Here's what you need for this project.

Mason jar (really any jar with lid would probably work)

Pump (I got some liquid soap with pump from Dollar Tree)

Hot glue

Liquid soap

Hammer and nail

All you do is put the lid on the jar and take your hammer and nail and punch a few holes to make a big enough opening for the pump. I think I punched like 3 holes and then took a screw driver ad pried open the hole all around till I got the opening to where I wanted it. And yes I was eating Cheerios :)

Take the pump and make sure the "straw" end is short enough and isn't obstructed. I had to cut mine down quite a bit.

I hot glued all around the inside of the pump and around the edge and then put on the lid. Wiped away any excess glue so you wouldn't see it on the lid.

Fill jar up with soap and screw lid on tight.

This is so easy and really cute. I had this soap on hand and think it looks like a glass of milk but the clear looks really pretty and if you're lucky enough to have one of those blue jars that would be beautiful also!

I'm planning on making quite a few of these to put in a little gift baskets for several folks at Christmas. Yes Christmas, people!!! It's right around the corner and I have to start early!!!!

Well hope you try this and like it!

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime or follow along if you like.

You can also find me on Facebook at Monogram Boutique or follow along with me at my Twitter and Pinterest account name "lawilkerson". Send a shout out and i'll follow you back!

Thanks all and many blessings,

Laura

Summer fun

2011-06-27T14:07:00.000-05:00

Hi ya'll!

Whew it's been a long two weeks and even longer weekend. While some would relish in a long weekend it's not so fun when you're playing nurse to a loved one.

My sweetie's first day back to work since our vacation ended him up in the hospital with an emergency appendix surgery. Unfortunately it was a little worse than what they originally thought once they got him into the OR and he had to spend a couple more days in the hospital than we'd hoped. Any way he's home and slowly moving around and looks like he'll be outta work for about a month. These kids are going to drive him nuts!!!!! lol!

Thankfully we are praising God that this did not happen while we were on vacation the week before. That would have been a mess that I don't think I could have survived myself!

Well I know i've been MIA for a while so I thought i'd show you some vacation pictures! We did absolutely NOTHING but eat, sleep, swim and relax (and not necessarily in that order).

We did take a hike one day. Lord it was hot!!!

These caves/caverns (not sure what to call them) were pretty awesome. My older daughter, Hayley, is not fond of birds so she was constantly duckin' and weavin'! That was probably the funniest :)

Playing basketball :)

We also went to the marina and fed the fish. None of us wanted to get on the boat so we just fed the "starving" fish. They are a trip!!! You can hold your hand or foot down there and they come up, mouth wide open thinking you're about to feed them! The water level was about 20ft over normal so we couldn't swim in the swimming area but that's ok we enjoy the pool more anyway and I can't swim so it makes everyone nervous when I get out there in the lake water with a noodle. Last year my hubby tied a rope to my wrist and the boat so if I floated away he would pull me back in. It was pretty funny :) I'm all about a good laugh!

Here's a view from the pool area.

And this is what I did! Relaxing with a drink and my pink flamingo straw with my pool hat! I also got a little reading done. I have been saving my copy of Gone With A Handsomer Man for just this occasion and it was well worth it!!!

Well ya'll i'm gonna get in here and fix some soup for my sweetie. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime or follow along if you like.

You can also find me on Facebook at Monogram Boutique or follow along with me at my Twitter and Pinterest account name "lawilkerson". Send a shout out and i'll follow you back!

Thanks all and many blessings,
Laura

Pasta anyone?

2011-06-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

I know i've been MIA for a couple weeks. We were on vacation last week up in the mountains at the lake. I've got some great pics i'll be posting later on. All this week i've been bed sitting my hubby at the hospital. Poor thing has never been poked and prodded so much in his whole life :(

Well I hope in the next few days things will get back to some normality and I can play catch up.

So all I could do waiting at the hospital is to think about what I want to eat, cook, bake and devour! Here's what I thought about most.

How about a Macaroni Grill recipe. I've only been there once, like 3 years ago on my birthday, and this is the dish I had. I loved it so much, I searched the web and found the recipe. There's actually a website that has all the famous restaurant recipes on there and has a free download of a book. If any of ya'll are interested in it just hollar and i'll send it your way.

So here's the Scaloppine di Pollo recipe that I love so much.....i've also done this with shrimp instead of chicken and like that much better but chicken is cheaper....."I'll have the chipper chicken" (little Steve Martin from Father of the Bride) :)

Macaroni Grill's Scaloppine di Pollo Recipe (Chicken, Artichoke, Mushroom Pasta)

Lemon Butter Sauce:

4 ounces lemon juice

2 ounces white wine (plus one glass to sip on while cooking...it's the rule)

4 ounces heavy cream

1 pound (4 sticks) butter

Chicken and Pasta:

6 to 8 (3-ounce) chicken breasts, pounded thin

Oil and butter for sauteing chicken

1/2 to 3/4 cup flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, for dredging

6 ounces pancetta, cooked (i've also used cooked bacon bits)

12 ounces mushrooms, sliced

12 ounces artichoke hearts, sliced

1 Tablespoon capers

1 pound cappellini pasta, cooked (I use angel hair pasta...the cappellini is just slightly thicker)

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Make the sauce:
Heat the lemon juice and white wine in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and reduce by one-third. Add cream and simmer until mixture thickens (3 to 4 minutes). Slowly add butter until completely incorporated. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Chicken and pasta:

Cook pasta and drain. Heat a small amount of oil and two tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Dredge chicken in flour and saute in pan, turning once, until brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and add to pan the pancetta, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and capers. Heat until mushrooms soften and are cooked; add chicken back to pan.

To serve:
Place cooked pasta on each plate. Add half of butter sauce to chicken mixture and toss. Taste adding more sauce if needed. Place chicken mixture over pasta. Garnish with parsley. Alternately, mix pasta and chicken mixture together. Toss with butter sauce.

Hope you all enjoy this pasta dish!
I'm joining Daph over at Flip Flops and Pearls for her Recipe Swap

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Many blessings,

Laura

Baby shower gift tutorial

2011-06-09T23:42:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

I've been a busy bee this week getting things together to leave for vacation. The kids have been in bible school all week and i've had lots of unfinished sewing projects going on. I seriously found a pair of pants someone asked me to hem up like 7 months ago!!!! I feel terrible!

Anyway, got all the little side projects done and we've got a wedding and baby shower the day before we leave for vacation so I whipped up a little baby shower gift and thought I'd share it with you all :)

I made her some burp cloths out of the old fashioned Gerber tri-fold cloth diapers. I need to find a better quality tri-fold. If any of ya'll know of a better brand, please let me know.

Found a really cute pack of girly wash cloths and folded each individual one in three long strips then rolled them in the shape of a lollipop.

I secured them with a straight pin and covered with some netting, stuck a little popsicle stick on the under side of the "lollipop", tied off with a matching ribbon and trimmed up the netting.

I rolled two of the burp cloths and secured with a clear rubber band. Then wrapped the remaining one around both and tied with matching ribbons. Then just stuck the lollipop wash cloths in them.

I think it turned out pretty cute. Different and a little more creative that just wrapping them up in a gift bag.

Well I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will be MIA next week enjoying the mountains and some nice spring water and be relaxing pool side! I can't wait :) :) I'll for sure take plenty of pics and share with you all when I get back!

Many blessings,

Laura

~Easy strawberry cake~

2011-06-09T07:30:00.002-05:00

Hey ya'll!

With all these strawberries in season now, who wouldn't want a easy, cool and refreshing strawberry dessert!

I made a simple yellow cake and in a 13x9 cake pan. You can make one from scratch or use your favorite box brand. Don't fuss too much over it because you're gonna doctor it up!

After I baked the cake I took about a 1/2 stick of butter and rubbed it over the cake until it melted. You can skip this step but at the time it sounded really good so I went for it :)

Then I poked holes in it with a wooden spoon. I made some strawberry jello and instead of letting it sit and gel I poured it in the holes.

Sliced some strawberries for the top and popped it in the fridge and let get real cold.

I did make some whipped cream from scratch cause it just tastes much better to me and served it on the side.

YUMMY!!!

This cake didn't last long in my house for sure!

Ya'll enjoy!
I'm joining Daph at Flip Flops and Pearls for her Recipe Swap! Drop on by :)

Many blessings,

Laura

Healthy Inspiration

2011-06-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

I'll be joining Daph over at Flip Flops & Pearls for Semi Wordless Wednesday.

I need some healthy inspiration

I ~~want~~ need to get in shape....seriously

Yep, that's about my level right there! lol!

I do love yoga.....I can actually do this....for about 3 seconds

I have always wanted to run....not a bunch of Forrest Gump running but like half a marathon would be a pretty awesome accomplishment or just long enough to clear my mind if that's possible

I'll never be able to pull off something like this

But I wanna be able to "ROCK" something like this! :)

I heart vintage bathing suits....takes me back to the day!

I figure if I put it out there in blogger land, then I will motivate myself....maybe.....hopefully......soooo i'm giving myself one year to get myself in a healthy shape. Not super model, unrealistic shape but shape enough to show it off ;)

And if that doesn't work I'll have an excuse lined up..........

LOL I had to put that one in there :)

Happy Semi Wordless Wednesday ya'll!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by. Your thoughts, comments and inspiration is always welcomed :)

Many blessings,

Laura

Crawfish boil & comments

2011-06-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful Memorial weekend and enjoying their Summer.

We sure are. Got the garden growing and looking good, even though we could use a little rain. It's been in the 90's for the last week and half and there's really not much you can do in weather like that except lay around in the pool! So sounds good to me :)

We spent our Memorial weekend at my BIL's. He had a crawfish boil on Saturday and boy was it good! YUM!!! I believe they cooked four 35lb bags and sweet corn, potatoes and sausage links and there wasn't a single bit left at the end of the night!

The first batch was a little too spicy for my taste but this nice cold concoction helped cool it down :) LOL!

Silly Keke! She loves Uncle Shorty's cookin' but Bubba, he's awfully picky. Thank goodness he's too busy to stop and eat anything!

Sunday we just pool hopped and cooked ribs on the grill. Me and my SIL made potato salad, broccoli, rice and cheese casserole and cooked fresh cabbage on the grill. Now if you've never had cabbage on the grill you don't know what your missing! Our friend down the road grew cabbage again this year and i'm telling you it was as big as my head! I've never seen any so big! It was delish :)

We came back home Monday and back in the groove Tuesday and now this week is a week of cleaning, planning, a little sewing and getting things around to leave on vacation Sunday. I for one cannot wait!

Oh, I have to show you what was in the local Kroger store the other day! Some Woo Pig Chewy!!!!! This is so cool and being a Razorback (born and raised) and transplanted into Coronal Reb land (which I believe is a big black bear or something silly like that!), I have to show my Arkansas pride any way I can :) and the ice cream doesn't taste so bad either! lol!

I also wanted you all to know i've been checking out your blogs and have tried to comment on some but blogger just hasn't been letting me do so. I've seen that others are having problems too. I've downloaded Google Chrome and it automatically let me comment on a post that i've been trying to all night long!! Hopefully this will work. I just wanted you to know i'm still here and have still been "visiting" often and even though this Summer is going to be jammed packed i'm still hopping around and enjoying all of your posts!

Have a wonderful week!

Many blessings,

Laura

2011-05-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Memorial Day weekend ya'll!!!!

We are heading out of town to the BIL's :)

Gonna have a crawfish boil.......yummers!

Do a little pool hoppin'

Can't forget the hat! (this one isn't mine but really cute)

Here we go! This is my callin' the Hoggs (Razorbacks) hat! See it has my Razorback emblem on it :) A must have for the pool and football season :) Woooo Pie Sooie! Can't wear the hat and not call the hogs

We're gonna enjoy some fresh fruit deserts

and be thankful for those who serve our great country!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all our veterans and soldiers who have given their time and lives so we can have an amazing life of freedom!

Also want to send a big thank you out to my friend's daughter, Christine serving in the Air Force and has already done one tour and I believe might be returning. I know your family is more than proud of you and if it means anything I truly am honored in knowing you and very proud of everything you've accomplished. What an amazing young lady you are! Next time you are in town, chocolate covered strawberries are definitely on order for you :)

God bless you and keep you safe.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Many blessings,

Laura

Schools out!!!

2011-05-24T20:29:00.000-05:00

Woo Hoo!

Well we've made it! School's out and it's time for a little bit of fun :)

Break out the flip flops

Go on a nice little picnic

Take a little dip in the pool

Watch the kids swing the day away

or sit back and relax

of course you can't have summer without plenty of refreshments for the kids

and don't forget us bigger kids :)

Thanks for dropping by and hope you're having a wonderful week!

I'm joining Daph over at Flip Flops & Pearls for her Semi Wordless Wednesday

Come on over and check it out or join in with us :)

Have a wonderful day and many blessings,

Laura

Weddings on my mind

2011-05-18T08:00:00.004-05:00

My oldest getting married?

Impossible....

Not impossible

She loves pink and blue colors

and simple things

an outdoor wedding in the park at dusk

lit up with these

i've designed her dress and am making it

if only I were this talented

maybe some flowers with bling on her veil

and some of these hanging from the gazebo

a simple cake with edible butterflies :)

and refreshing drink

All of these things couldn't wouldn't be anything without the beauty of the bride.....

I'm officially getting excited :)

Thanks for stopping by and come join me at Daphs for Wordless Wednesday and Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday!

Many blessings,

Laura

We made it to the end of school!

2011-05-17T21:51:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

Well i've been MIA for a while. It's been the last couple of weeks of the kids school and so much going on with both of them I just took a little break and helped out at school as much as I could.

I first have to say, praise God it has finally stopped raining and the Mississippi river is slowly but surely going down. We've escaped flooding and property damage but most around us have lost everything or close to it including their jobs. Truly sad and much prayers needing to be sent their way.

Bubba's class finally got to go on their zoo field trip. It got cancelled 2 times because of all the rain we've had lately. This was his first trip ever to the zoo. I don't know how that happened because I love the zoo but in all his 6 little years of life, he hasn't gone, until now :)

We had a blast! Daddy (my ups man :) went too. We had another group of 2 boys and mom hang with us and the boys were running and full of energy. When we were about to drop and she said "I wish I had some of that energy. I bet a girl group would have been easier to keep up with" I told her "yeah but they would have had to make 8 bathroom stops, several meltdowns and complaints about being tired and hot....I'll take a boy group any day over the girls!" lol

Anyway, here's a few pics of our little zoo trip :)

There were so many beautiful plants and trees there. Not sure what the little white flowering plant was but it covered the ground around the walkways and I loved it. There was also a fern-looking tree that was really pretty. Of course my favorite, weeping willow tree (I need one of these) and we walked by this waterfall just about the time I wanted to jump in it! lol!!

This gorilla didn't look so happy. There was a worker standing by that said the gorilla hates to be stared at and one day there were a couple of policemen in uniform standing with their arms crossed just looking and it had charged the window several times. Said it felt threatened. Bubba got close and it barely moved and he backed away and was ready to move on. And I thought my UPS man had big hands!!! The sea lion show was pretty awesome too. Then, my favorite, the panda bear. Poor fella was sitting so funny and swaying back and forth. Looked like he had a rough night and was sporting a little hangover! LOL! I couldn't stop laughing at it!

At my daughter, Katrina's school I filled in during teacher appreciation day. The PTO got together and had the kids send in recipes of their favorites and printed up a cookbook for each individual teacher. They turned out really nice. They also had a local pottery company come in and the kids painted tiles that are going to be put throughout the school. They also had a Spring Festival and each class had to put together a basket. Our room had a baby boy theme. I made up some burp cloths, a onesie, bibs, a monogrammed happy birthday banner and diaper cake with piggy bank topper along with a gift certificate to my etsy shop.

Ms. Olive Branch came by and judged the baskets and woo hoo our basket won! Nothing like stressing out trying to put something together and in the end it's a big hit. All in all the baskets raised around $900 and our winning basket won the class an ice cream party! That's pretty awesome!

Mother's day weekend Katrina had a birthday party with her friends at the Mud Monkey pottery place. Her little friend Madie is in love with Elvis, yes people Elvis, not Justin Bieber. It's the craziest thing. Her parents got an Elvis impersonator to come and sing to her. He didn't look much like Elvis (unless it would be a much, much, much older skinner Elvis) but he sure could sing! I can't forget that my little (big) grandbaby came to stay with me Mothers Day weekend. I haven't got to see him since Christmas and he's just about grown now :( They grow up so fast and I hate that they don't live closer. He's such a good baby and is walking now and in desperate need of a hair cut but momma says not till he's one. So we've got about another month to go! I have to say a big congrats to his momma, my oldest daughter Cadey, she just got her exam notice in the mail and has passed her CNA test! I know it's the first step of many for her but i'm still proud for taking great steps to make a better life for her and her family :) Next step RN and I know she can do it!

We are ready for Summer to begin around here, even though I refuse to turn on the air conditioner (our Summer electric bill last year was $400...I almost died)! Bubba and Katrina have football practice and cheerleading again. Katrina has informed me that she wants to be Ms. Olive Branch so looks like we're going to have to get pageant ready, that of which I know absolutely nothing about. My Hayley will be entering her Senior year of high school and this Summer we will hopefully be touring a couple of campuses and filling out "please take me and give me a full scholarship" applications along with getting her Senior pictures taken, my Cadey is also going to be getting married October 22nd and I've designed and am making her wedding gown and cake. We will be leaving for vacation in June and going back to the condo at the lake and I for one can't wait! I told my UPS man that I didn't care if we just sat at the pool all week it would be a week away from everything and a week to just relax!

This is going to be a busy, busy summer but full of new beginnings and experiences. So if you don't see me around as much, I'm still here and I do check you guys out as often as I can, sometimes so much I get lost in the time! I must improve on my time management skills and learn to actually get out of my pj's some days! LOL!

Hope you all are doing well and hanging in there!

Thanks for stopping by and many blessings,

Laura

Wordless Wednesday for my Mom

2011-05-03T23:16:00.000-05:00

Just a little something for my mom

(who doesn't even "do" the Internet)

How many of your precious flowers did I pick and you never said a word

How many tears did I cry and you never said a word

How many miles apart were we and you never said a word

How many times did you silently rejoice

How many times can I ever say thank you for my life

Thank you for all those wordless times when you knew I just needed you....not words

Thank you for taking in a child whom you've never seen

A child that no one wanted

Yet you

Loved from the first touch

Loved from the first kiss

and

Love unconditionally

It will never be too many times to tell you I love you.

I'm linking up with Daph over at Flip Flops and Pearls for Semi Wordless Wednesday....how fitting :)

Many blessings ya'll,

Laura

Fightin' Mad

2011-05-03T18:54:00.000-05:00

I don't think I have ever posted anything negative or depressing, so I apologize in advance if this brings anyone down but I just have to say it....

I'm mad....

Fightin mad....

And at no one in particular but myself :(

Of course this only really happens when someone doesn't think my children are as wonderful and talented as I do. Isn't that a switch that gets installed in all us moms? An automatic fightin' mad switch that gets flipped on in a millisecond when we feel our children are being mistreated, hurt or just plain ole misunderstood.

I've struggled with Katrina going through school since Kindergarten. That first year was hard for us all. We moved in with my MIL to help take care of her, she then passed away, lots of attention other places besides Katrina or her school work. She struggled and they wanted to keep her in Kindergarten another year. Um, no way.

Of course we moved her to 1st and her teacher was AWESOME. Worked with her endlessly and did many one on ones and testing until we finally figured out. She was ADD. Could have been many other worse scenarios but still a little blow to us all. After a couple of not so great meds, we found the right one for her and she's done well ever since. We did keep her in a 1st and 2nd transition class the next year to help her build up her reading skills that she missed out on learning at the beginning of the year. It did wonders for her :)

Needless to say, she's thriving now. She's a great student (not straight A's) but she listens, does her work, takes pride in what she does and most importantly is kind to all.

Now here we are with my baby boy, my only boy. Bubba. Mr. All I wanna do is go fishing with daddy. When's turkey season, is it deer season yet? We need to get a new tire for the 4-wheeler.

He is a loyal friend, loves to give hugs and has always been all boy. My boy :)

My boy who got a note sent home today wanting to hold him back in Kindergarten for another year! Here we go again! I knew Bubba was ADD like Katrina maybe a little more on the ADHD side but I didn't want to put him on meds unless we absolutely had to. And as it turns out, we did. He got a late start at the beginning of school but once we got situated on the meds he's done better, much better I think. I guess I'm the only one who does.

I adore his teacher and respect all teachers, for their jobs are difficult, but I just can't see holding him back. Not kindergarten! He already has a late birthday so if we did this then he'll be almost 8 when he starts 1st grade! My heart breaks. The poor thing has withered away to almost nothing because he won't eat because of his meds. I wish I had that problem! His teacher came to the car with him the other day and said he'd been throwing his lunch in the trash and not eating anything! His pants are just hanging on him :( The Dr. said to take him off the meds for the Summer, which is what i've done for Katrina in the past and will absolutely do for him also. Poor thing looks like he's starving and you can seriously count his ribs. When he has been off his meds he eats us outta the house!

I have to fill out this form and send back in to school denying their offer for him to spend another year in Kindergarten. Looks like we'll have to do some tutoring over the Summer, which I'm sure he'll hate me for!!!

Ugh! What did I do wrong!

I'm definitely not winning "Mom of the year" award :(

On a brighter note, the sun came out today, there's no more rain, all the water is pumped out of the basement, my mom's house is dry and safe and the reopened WalMart. :)

Sorry for such a long, no fun at all post.

I'm off to make spaghetti and pour a glass of wine.

Many blessings,

Laura

Lemon, lemony bars

2011-05-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

Yep!

I love anything lemon and here's a really good recipe for lemon bars that came a while back in my Kroger insert.

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 cup butter

14 oz sweetened condensed milk

4 eggs (large)

2/3 cup lemon juice

1 tbs all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbs grated lemon peel

sifted powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine flour and sugar in bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press lightly onto bottom and halfway up sides of ungreased 13x9 inch baking pan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Beat sweetened condensed milk and eggs in bowl until fluffy. Beat in lemon juice, flour, baking powder, salt until blended. Fold in lemon peel; pour over crust.

Bale for 20 to 25 mins or until filling is set and crust is golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate for about 2 hours. Cut into bars and sprinkle with powdered sugar. You can also mix the powdered sugar with a little lemon juice and poured over bars before cutting.

Yummy!!

Hope you all enjoy!

Many blessings,

Laura

Strawberry season

2011-05-02T07:00:00.005-05:00

Hey ya'll

Well there's more, yes more, bad weather headed our way. On top of cleaning up from last weeks storm, everyone around us is flooded. The mighty Mississippi is at record high right now. I've never seen it this high before. Most of Memphis is flooding as we speak and downtown is in danger of going under also.

We're blessed that none of our family or friends have been affected.

Here's a picture of downtown Memphis at during the Memphis in May, Beale Street Music Festival.

May not look like much to most but it's about 8 more feet from being flooded and there's a whole park down

that grassy hill along with Mud Island off to the far left that's under water.

photo from Commercial Appeal by Mike Maple

Since everything is gloomy around here and I knew bad weather was coming through again, me and Katrina went to Brownlee Farms Saturday and bought some strawberries while my UPS man and Bubba stayed home to help our neighbor cut up his tree that fell earlier this week. You can see that here. It was a lot of tree, for sure!

Here's Katrina holding one of the flats we bought. They were such big strawberries and I think there was only a handfull out of both flats that were a little too squishy.

So Sunday afternoon I cleaned out what jars I could find and canned some jam.

If you've never made any before it's really not as hard as some think.

For strawberry jam it's just 2 cups of mashed up hulled strawberries, 4 cups of sugar and 1 box of Sure Jell.

You can mash up the strawberries with a potato masher or put in the blender. If you put in the blender or food processor make sure you pulse on lowest setting cause you are gonna want bits and pieces of the fruit in the jam.

Just put the 2 cups of strawberries and box of sure jell and bring to a roiling boil. Add 4 cups of sugar, stir fast and then bring to a full roiling boil again. Spoon into clean jars and seal.

Here's where they say to put the jars in a hot water bath but I just make sure my jars are just out of the hot water and dry and the seals and screw lids are fresh out of hot water but dry. When you tighten the lids down real good while they are still hot they will seal without putting them in a hot water bath. I've done the water bath only a couple of times for my salsa and canned tomatos but rarely use that process if I don't have too.

Here's what I got done with and then didn't have any more Sure Jell. I'll have to run out tomorrow if the weather lets me and get some more. I froze about 5 gallon size zip lock bags of strawberries and still have a bowl full waiting to can up another batch of jam.

I love making jams and jellys, canning tomatos and salsa and they all make really great gifts. Throw a cute little kitchen towel in a basket with a jar of jam and maybe some homemade biscuits and you got yourself a great and very appreciated hostess or get well gift.

Oh have to show you Katrina's cute derby hat and matching tote bag we found at Target. The hat and bag were $2.00 each in their little dollar section so I picked up a couple hats. I'm gonna try to monogram her initials in it like I've been seeing online lately. I'll have to let ya'll know how they turn out :) It's it amazing how a trip to Target just about makes everything better :) well at least for Katrina :)

Hope you all have a wonderful day and all are staying safe!

I'm joining Ms. Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphis Monday
Ms. Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday
come on by and join in
:)

Many blessings,

Laura

What i've been up too.

2011-04-27T12:30:00.001-05:00

Well ya'll nothing exciting that's for sure.

Just a lot of duck and cover.

We've had severe storms here since Monday and last night from about 4:30 till about 3 this morning just a continual poundage of rain, heavy winds and tornado warnings EVERYWHERE!

Katrina got a little spooked after we lost power and her and Bubba slept on the couch. We had to light up the candles and kerosene lamp. I guess it's a good thing I love me some candles and have a good stock :)

We finally got power around 4:30 this morning and when I took the kids off to school we noticed our neighbor across the street. Their tree had fallen down straight from the roots! It did miss their house and everyone is ok, praise God.

This is my side screen door and it's probably demolished....My UPS man says he can fix it :)

Of course Gerttie wasn't fazed one bit. These dogs are so silly they don't make a peep when the sirens go off but you let one of the neighbors roll out their garbage and they will not be quiet!!! Unbelievable!

They do stay under my feet when it's bad outside :) I guess they're watching out for momma :)

Well I hope all ya'll are doing ok out there. Hopefully i'll have something more fun to post about later on this week besides bad weather.

Joining Ms. Kara at Elements Interiors for her Whassup Wednesday party cause this is all that's up with me this week :)

Stay safe and many blessings,

Laura

Rain, rain go away~

2011-04-25T22:34:00.000-05:00

Well at least till this Summer when we need it!

Hey ya'll

Well me and the kiddos are holed up in the house trying to wait out this second round of tornado warnings and thunderstorms.

We had some pretty heavy storms earlier around noon today and it's supposed to hit here around 10:30-10:45. I usually don't freak out during tornado watches or warnings but a couple of years ago we had a tree go down on the neighbors side just missing their home by inches and that was just from heavy winds. I was upstairs at the time and came down running. My UPS man is no big fan of storms and when he heard me run he "broke camp" too! LOL

We've also had winds blow down our storage building that my BIL and UPS man had just got framed up the day before and ~wosh~ gone!

A couple of weeks ago when storms came through again, the winds took down a utility shed that my UPS man had just framed. It's kinda funny and we've laughed about it. My UPS man said "I can fix anything mechanical, electrical and plumbing but God just didn't make me a carpenter"....LOL

Here's some pictures of our tree from a couple of years ago.

Straight up from the roots.

It took out the neighbors cable and phone line also. That's how close it was to their house.

and fence

Well, I'm gonna go for now and pray that it just passes on by. They're also predicting storms again tomorrow early evening.......will I ever get the rest of my garden planted :(

Ya'll take care!

Many blessings,

Laura

Happy Easter ya'll!

2011-04-23T12:03:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to wish you all and your family a Happy and blessed Easter!

We're coloring eggs, baking cookies and just having fun spending time together and hope you are fortunate enough to do the same.

I came across this you tube video today and thought it was perfectly fitting for the holiday. Remembering what this holiday means to us all, nothing can describe it better than "How Great Thou Art" and He is eternally great.

Carrie Underwood with Vince Gill

Happy Easter from my family to yours!

Many blessing,

Laura

Easter Tablescape

2011-04-20T15:39:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter ya'll!!!

If you know me you know I love the holidays, any holiday and Easter is no exception :)

Of course Easter to me is the promise of many things to come, Spring, flowers in bloom, trees in their full glory but most importantly the resurrection and the promise of forgiveness and life everlasting.

I also love seeing the little ones, bigger ones too, all decked out in their Easter best, being together as a family and just enjoying the day, food, egg hunts and each others company.

This Easter we're gonna be just taking it easy here at the house. Will probably do a little egg hunt for the kiddos and I have a Easter brunch planned and late afternoon dinner and then of course they (meaning the UPS man) will just snack the rest of the evening :)

Here's a little Easter tablescape I set up for the mid-morning brunch.

Mr. Bunny and his egg tree :)

Layered up dishes are a mix match of green from Kroger (I love these cause they are so thick and heavy), the white is an Ascot china from Japan, silver trimmed and green pattern called Dawn Mist by Sango and white bowl also from the Ascot set.

MIL silver

My Craig's list crystal find :) (you can see more of that here)and the green champagne flutes are from Dollar Tree and i've been waiting for the right setting to use these!

I'm not sure what this silver piece is supposed to be....maybe a sugar or creamer container....it took a LOT of polishing is all I know :) It holds what is left of my azalea blooms after last nights storms...praise God there was no damage to our property.

The yellow place mats are from World Market, which is no longer here :(

Here's my cute little Easter basket from Lifeway Christian book store. "Lord the earth is filled with Your faithful love" Psalm 119:64

I hope you enjoyed my little tablescape and most of all want to wish you all a wonderful Easter weekend and happy times with your family and friends.

I'll be joining Ms. Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for her Tablescape Thursday, ya'll come join in :)

Many blessings,

Laura

Mikasa give away

2011-04-19T13:01:00.000-05:00

Mikasa dishes.....free?

Enough said :)

Go visit Mommy Kate and enter for a chance at a set of Pure Red 6 place setting dinnerware set! You can click on the button on my side bar or click here :)

These are absolutely beautiful and would make a great gift for Mothers Day for yourself or mom.

Good luck everyone!

Many blessings,

Laura

sewing, sewing and more sewing

2011-04-19T12:20:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

Just thought i'd take you on a little tour of what i've been doing for the last week.........sewing.

I love to sew, embroidery, monogramming all that good stuff but i've been worn out!

My daughters school is having a Spring Festival next weekend and each room had to do a themed basket to be silent auctioned off and guess who's room mom! Woo Hoo!

Normally this would not phase me but I got the "baby boy" theme and is there really anything cute you can do for little boys? It's hard, believe me. Hard to find something boyish that's neutral so people will want to bid on.

So for the basket I made this Happy Birthday banner on my embroidery machine out of an old sheet and old pair of jeans.....it did take FOREVER but turned out really cute so now i'm gonna have to make some personalized ones to hang in the kids rooms (adding to my mile long "to do" list).

Also added like 6 of these burp cloths and "little man" onesie. I also made a bib that says "Chicks dig me" with an embroidery of a little chick and diaper cake with a little blue piggy bank topper but didn't take a picture of it :( Hopefully the PTO did and i'll try to post it on here later. I hate it when I do that!

I've also been trying to get enough items made up to have a booth at the city's Spring Arts and Crafts Fair. It's right on old town square where all the little antique shops are and literally 2 blocks from my house. So I had made some pillowcase dresses with little Easter themes and as fast as I could make them someone was wanting one. I shall not complain :)

Here's my friends little girl (my new model). She's as cute as can be....look at all those curls :)

Her favorite dress was the "Hanging with my peeps" dress....it is pretty cute.

I happen to like this one the most...it's Amy Butler fabric and I made a matching hair bow too.

My nieces little girl is all country but I took some to her this weekend to see if she wanted one and she didn't want any part of it. Guess I shoulda made one in camouflage LOL. Her Nanno (my SIL) picked this one out for her. That was actually made from fabric my Granny used when she was still quilting. She gave me bags and bags of fabric! I've been trying to go through and use what I have on hand instead of buying more but it is oh so hard :(

Here's a hair bow for my daughter for the 4th of July. I always do some piece of clothing for my youngest daughter for 4th of July.

This is her when she was a baby with her 1st 4th of July dress I made her :)

I made this one in Mississippi Bulldog colors for my older daughter. Ring the bell ya'll!!!!! This happens to be her college of choice :) We'll see....she's in a slump right now and doesn't know what she wants anymore and I'm trying not to stress but it's coming fast! They do have a mind of their own.

Anyway, in between all of these things I'm trying to make a family quilt for my mom for mothers day....doesn't look like that's gonna happen :( but I'm gonna give it a shot anyway and my sweet UPS man is working on building my a real sewing/crafting area....I of course am happy with a piece of plywood on 2x4's and a chair but he's got the itch so i'm letting him scratch :) I'll let you know how this turns out!

So that's where i've been ya'll....I haven't disappeared although if you I ever do it will be to somewhere quiet and sunny....this weather around her is the pits :p (another night tonight of thunderstorms and tornado watches! BOO!)

Have a great Tuesday!

Many blessings,

Laura

~Chocolate & Gold Ribbon Cake~

2011-04-15T17:30:00.000-05:00

I know, I know I post way too many desserts....I promise next time it'll be something um with no sugar in it....maybe :)

I have to tell you I have a couple of obsessions.....fabric and cook books....any cook book. I probably have about 83 now and I finally got room in the kitchen for the last box of books to be displayed. As I was trying to put them up I couldn't help but look through this one. I told my daughter to pick something out that looked good and here's what we got....It is quite delicious and definitely worth the time. Oh and it makes you look like a million bucks. I think I even got a kiss for this one ;)

Chocolate and Gold Ribbon Cake

Cake

1 1/2 tbs unsweetened cocoa

1 tbs instant espresso powder (this is totally optional)

1 1/2 tbs warm water

1/4 tsp almond extract

2 3/4 c sifted cake flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 c unsalted butter (room temp)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 c sugar

4 large eggs

1 c buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350. Butter 2 9 inch round pans.

In a small bowl stir together the espresso, cocoa, water and almond extract until smooth and set aside.

Sift the cake flour with the baking soda and salt and set aside

In a large blow, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Add the vanilla and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time and beating after adding each.

On low speed add the flour mixture in thirds alternating with the buttermilk until batter is smooth. Spoon 1/2 the mix in one cake pan. Stir the espresso-cocoa mixture thoroughly into the remaining batter and scrape out into the other cake pan.

Bake for 30 to 35 mins or until knife inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pans for about 10 mins and then transfer to wire racks and let cool completely.

Now go make the frosting :)

Frosting

1 12oz bag semisweet chocolate morsels

8 tbs unsalted butter (room temperature)

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 c confectioners' sugar

4 large eggs

Melt the chocolate (I did it in the microwave but you can do this on a double boiler). In a large bowl, beat the butter until smooth, add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated then beat on medium speed for about 1 min. On medium-high add the eggs one at a time beating for 1 min after each egg. Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until smooth and creamy about 1-2 mins.

Use a serrated knife to cut the chocolate layer and yellow layer in twos or you can leave as just two cakes. Frost between each layer and then the outer of the whole cake.

The frosting on this cake really makes the cake.

I hope you get a chance to try this and enjoy it.

I'm joining my girl Daph over at Flip Flops and Pearls for her recipe swap :) come on over ya'll

Have a wonderful weekend!

Many blessings,

Laura

and.....i'm beat!

2011-04-11T22:49:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll

Hope you've had a wonderful Monday.

We had some bad weather come through but just got hit with some heavy rains so we're thankful for sure.

Not much going on here this week. Have a "baby boy" themed basket to get ready for silent auction at Katrina's school for their Spring Festival. It's really hard to come up with generic cute boy stuff....BOO!!!!

I wish I had gotten the "baby girl" theme...i'm talkin' hair bows and tutus for one and all!!!! :)

Anyway i'll be busy as a bee (queen bee that is..hehe) getting items made and ready to basket-up this week but I wanted to show you what went on this weekend.

A little fishing

and being goofy (cause this child cannot sit still!)

and it was Hayley's birthday and prom :)

Her date was the most handsomest date EVER and the cutest grandbaby a g-ma could ask for :)

Isn't he the sweetest?

She didn't have a date so my oldest daughter brought the baby by and they suited him up and took him in the prom for pictures....those poor teenage boys didn't have a chance when they saw my Drake come in! Who, I ask you, who could resist those eyes?

Anyway, "big" fish and big smiles this weekend....hope you all had a great one yourself!

Many blessings,

Laura

Hayhay

2011-04-08T09:30:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll...this is just a little write-up for my daughters birthday today in hopes that in between her busy teenage schedule she'll take a moment to read :)

Have a great day ya'll!

May Hayhay....that's what we call my you....Hayhay.

See the little kids in day care would try to say Hayley and it came out Hayhay. 17 years......only 388 more days till you're 18....that's your countdown and such a definite one at that. You text me often to remind me how many days are left....we both understand why 18 is so important to you.

I remember the day I went to the hospital to have you. We got up and left the house at like 4:30 in the morning. Went to the hospital, got prepped and of to the OR I go. They wouldn't let anyone in the room with me, not even your daddy and I didn't get to see you when you came out. I had trouble regaining the feeling back after the epidural and spent 5 hours in recovery before they took me to a room. When they finally brought you into the room, your daddy had brought Cadey in the room to see you. She had on a new polka dot dress and was so excited. The nurse asked her if she wanted to hold her little sister and she said Yeah! She was the first one out of all of us to get to hold you! So no matter what you two think about each other now and over the years, she really loves you and loved you the first moment she saw you.....like we all do :)

I've missed a lot of your daily life and many of your ups and downs and although many don't see it, it does tear at my heart every day. That's the past and is something that can't be changed.....only repaired.

I'm looking forward to seeing you grow in this next year. I know most parents don't look forward to their children turning 18 and going off to college but I'm excited and happy for you and can't wait to watch you

begin your senior year, senior homecoming game, spring break, 18th birthday, senior prom and graduation!

So many exciting times ahead and many memories to make.

Well Hayley, If you ever have a moment to read this I just want you to know how much I love you and how proud of you I am. You have a mindset and determination that I admire. I only want you to enjoy life and find something you want and love to do but most of all I want you to know that i'll always be here for you. You'll always have a home to come to, a lake to swim in and b-b-q nachos are only one call away :)

Much love and happy birthday!

Love,

Momma

Suggestions and advice, please?

2011-04-06T22:29:00.000-05:00

Hello all! Hope you're having a wonderful week.

I don't think I have ever mentioned that about 5 years ago we were sorda living out of boxes. We had made some tough decisions to pack our house up and store everything and move in to help out my MIL before her passing. For 3 years now we're finally at the end of unpacking some last boxes and stored items. I know 3 years sounds like a long time but believe me if your constantly renovating an old home and trying to combine, clean and sort through 2 households and almost 40 years of ~~hoarding~~ collecting stuff it does take a while.

Anyway, I found this copper pitcher or pot or I don't know what it really is. Do any of you have any ideas. It's pretty big but not at all heavy. Still in good shape and needs a major cleaning, which I have no idea how or where to begin cleaning on copper.

I like this lion

and the blue and white ceramic handles.....If anyone out there has any idea how to go about cleaning something like this, i'd appreciate you leaving a comment or messaging me. I could use the help.

I also can across these hand painted silk prints.

My husband got them about 15 years ago from work...someone was throwing them away so he gave them to his mom and now they're back in our hands.

They're awfully wrinkled and i'm very afraid of ironing them and possibly ruining them. I don't really know what to do with them right now. I do love the flower prints and thought about framing them. All the pieces measure like 24x24. Any ideas?

Well, I'd love to hear back from you all with any suggestions or advice!

Thanks and many blessings,

Laura

Cupboard clutter

2011-04-05T08:59:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

I'm joining Ms. Shelia over at Note Songs and she's hosting Heart of the home party-favorite cupboard and I couldn't resist, so I thought I'd show you mine.

Here's my little Craigs list find. I've only had it a month or so and want to paint it but can't decide what color.

It's defiantly in some serious need of reorganization :)

The drawers a full too....I for sure need to make some plate protectors...i'll just add that little project to the billion other projects! Nadda problem :)

There's the cabinet underneath. I just don't know what to say, except maybe I need another china cabinet ;)

Have a beautiful Tuesday everyone!

Many blessings,

Laura

Mr. Bunny welcomes Easter Tablescape

2011-04-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

Let me introduce you to Mr. Bunny.

He's awfully cute and innocent looking.

He has many friends and is a happy to welcome to Easter celebrations.

But......if you take a closer look.....he's not at all what you might imagine......

Is that a carrot he's sneaking around with? :)

I've added him along with his friends to my newly renovated coffee table....you're catching a glimpse of the top....i'll be showing you the rest later on. :)

Thanks for stopping by and come on back and visit anytime!

I'm joining Ms. Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for her Tablescape Tuesday party, come on over and join in!

Many blessings,

Laura

Shabby chic lamp

2011-04-04T09:44:00.004-05:00

Hey ya'll!

Well this weekend has been beautiful unfortunately we're all fighting some viral thingy around here. My poor son has been laid up on the couch since Thursday after school and didn't move or eat until late Saturday. Believe me, he NEVER is still, so you know somethings wrong. I've had bad headaches earlier this week and been awfully tired and then Friday night my Katrina's stomach started hurting her.

BOO to the bug!

Anyway we're all feeling better now and hopefully the weather will cooperate so I can get outta this dreary depression. :(

I recently dug out this old lamp from the camper. It used to be in my MIL's beauty shop and i'm not sure how old it is but the poor shade disintegrated when I took it off. The original shade was a drum shade but I found an old trumpet shaped shade that will work.

There's no nicks or chips in the lamp and just needed a little cleaning with some soapy water and toothbrush.

I love the roses. The picture lighting isn't so good but they are all pastel colors, pink, blue, yellow and peach.

The base needed a little spray paint and i'm not sure what it looked like before it rusted over. I'm not crazy about the color of the paint I used but I had it on hand so it'll work for now. I'm thinking about repainting it a cream color.

I made the shade out of an old pillowcase my Granny made me like 22 years ago. It's seen better days and had a large tear on one side but stuff like that I can't bear to throw out. I'm a little sentimental like that. :)

A little ribbon trim along the bottom :)

I just ran a band of elastic along the top and it just fits over the old shade....It worked out perfectly for this project and if I ever wanna change out fabric it'll be easy peasy to do. Sorry for the dark pictures, it's dreary here today and there's tornado warnings and thunderstorms :( Let's pray a tree doesn't fall on the house or camper or cars or garden......or me :p you think i'm pushing it? LOL!

Oh! I had to show you my new favorite part of Katrina's room....the mirrors! I think they are so cute. I got them from a Home Interiors sale for like $4.95 for all three and I think the shipping was more than the actual cost! BOO! I love them anyway and that's Keke's little fashion bust frame. You can go in there any time of the day and she's changed the clothes on it....she's so funny and loves fashion anything :)

Well I hope you all enjoyed my lamp redo!

I'll be joining these parties this week, come on over and join in!

Susan at BNOTP for Met Monday
Carrie at Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday

Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Party
Debbie at Debbiedoos Bloggin for her Newbie Party
Dominique at Craft Couture for Craft Couture Monday

Ms. Kara at Elements Interiors for Wassup Wednesday

Ms. Tammy at Type A for Anything Goes

and

Ms. Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime!

Many blessings,

Laura

~Coconut crazy~

2011-03-31T16:28:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

Thought i'd share a coconut cake recipe with you guys. This came from Martha Stewart cookbook but I've tweaked it a little.

And this is the before picture.....scroll on down to see the aftermath!

Coconut Cake

1 c milk (you can sweeten up this milk by heating it up with 1/2 c coconut and then straining out the coconut and let completely cool before adding it to the recipe. I just use plain milk and it does just fine)

1 c shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1 1/4 c sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups sifted cake flour (this is the best flour to use..if you don't have cake flour you can use 3 cups all purpose flour sifted with 1/4 c cornstarch)

4 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

4 egg whites

Preheat your oven to 350. Grease your pans. I use the 8 inch round pans. You can use 9 inch square pans.

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Sift the flour with baking powder and salt. Beat into the butter mixture alternating with the milk. Mix in the coconut.

Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry. Fold gently into the cake mixture. This is important not to beat too much or handle too much. This is going to make your cake as light as air. Divide the mix between the pans. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes or until inserted knife comes out clean.. Let cool and then turn out on racks and let it cook completely before icing.

I like to ice this cake with a seven minute icing. It's easy, not too rich and everyone loves it.

Seven Minute Icing

1/2 c shredded coconut

3 egg whites

1 3/4 c sugar

5 tbs cold water

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the egg whites, sugar, water and cream of tartar in the top of a double broiler. I just use an old pot and fill it half way with water and fit a glass bowl in it. Make sure the water isn't touching the bowl, if so just pour some out. Get out the electric mixer and get ready.

Set your timer for 7 minutes!

Beat the egg white mix for the 7 minutes. By now it should be looking like a thin icing. Be careful and remove it from the heat, add your vanilla and continue beating (off the heat) until fluffy and glossy! You can do one of three things now.

1. Get a spoon and just eat it straight from the bowl (not that i've done this)

2. Ice your coconut cake and then sprinkle the coconut on while still wet.

3. Carefully fold the coconut into the icing and then ice the cake.

Any way is going to be delicious!

Enjoy!

Here's the aftermath a.k.a. my UPS man! That poor man had been smelling this baking since lunch and had to head out the door to work, so I sliced a big ol' piece and wrapped up and sent with him to work but he still couldn't stand it! If you look closely you can see the fork mark on the side of the cake where he carved a big chunk out of the cake for an on-the-go bite! He said "baby, i'm sorry, I just couldn't wait!"

He's so crazy :)

Thanks for stopping by and come back anytime!

I'll be joining Daph over at Flip Flops and Pearls on Friday for her Recipe Swap so come on over and join in with me :)

Hope you all had a wonderful week!

Many blessings,

Laura

Sleep-over tablescape

2011-03-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

I SURVIVED!!!

Yes, last Friday was my daughter's late birthday sleepover and I survived 5 10 year old girls, 2 dogs a cranky teenage daughter and a 6 year old boy who's goal in live is to torture his sister!

Isn't there a medal out there for this valiant feat? I guess not....I guess that's just all part of being what they call a "mom"

I don't mind at all

I thought i'd show you all how we "did up" the table for her "girly feast".

Homemade strawberry cupcakes with buttercream frosting. Decorated, of course in pink and green :)

Some chocolate covered strawberries

Fruit parfait.....these were actually a big hit and there wasn't a single one left. The girls really thought they were fancy with these champagne flutes. They are not real glass but plastic ones I found on clearance at Garden Ridge many years ago.

Chips, homemade Pancho's dip, pizza and lemonade rounded out the menu.

Each girl got a cute little puppy that we bought on 75% off clearance after Valentines day and a box filled with a fortune cookie (I found a whole box of fortune cookies at Dollar tree), fingernail polish, scented purse hand sanitizer, lip gloss ring, bubbles and candies.

They all had a great time, danced, sang and did a fashion show for me and my older daughter. I had to take my heels away from Katrina 2 days later....all that clankin around was a little too much! lol!

Hope you all enjoyed our little tablescape. Thanks for stopping by and come back and visit me anytime or follow along if you like.

Check back in with me later this week for my birthday give away :)

I'll be joining Ms. Susan at BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday

Many Blessings,

Laura

Easter Table top

2011-03-28T19:43:00.000-05:00

Well maybe not a table top but how about my kitchen counter top.

I've dug out the Easter decorations and I forgot I had a trillion bunnies and how cute they were. I shoulda dug them out sooner and maybe it woulda brightened the house up some since we've been in the middle of a torrential downpour for the last week! :p

Here's the little corner of my counter next to the double oven built-in. I usually have all my fruits and veggies hanging out there.

Ms. Bunny looks like she's ready to plant a little welcome sign in her carrot garden.

I love my little chick bowl. It's holding a globe wine stopper, which was a present from A good friend.

Fresh lemons....I LOVE anything lemon and have to have fresh ones on hand all the time, especially for my sweet tea :)

This is my herb crusher and as you can see I really do use it. It works amazingly good for fresh herbs.

And my Happy Easter carrot!

I hope you all enjoyed my counter top. I'm joining Ms. Marty's party at A Stroll Through Life for her Table Top Tuesday. Hope I don't get thrown out for a technicality! Just kiddin' ya'll, she'd never do that, she's much too sweet!

Come on over and join me.

Hope you had a happy Monday!

Many blessings,

Laura

They say it's my birthday!

2011-03-28T10:00:00.003-05:00

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you.
Thank you Mr. Paul McCartney!

Yes, yes, yes it's my birthday.....how old you may ask? Well old enough to have a grandbaby but too young to have one. Hahahahhahaha! Is that not dancin' around the subject?

I'm 39 ya'll.....I still think i'm 28 but my body doesn't go along with that :)

Yes i'm an 80's girl. My husband is slightly younger than me and he always tells me "It must have been AWESOME to rock out in high school to all those 80's songs with your hair all teased up". I mean really, I truly don't think the whole 80's look will ever come back but if it does, trust me, i'll be quite prepared! LOL

Yeah, that's me with the poofy hair and all! This was on vacation with my parents....I think I was like 15 here. GAH!!!!!

Ugh! Excuse the bad habit I was posing with here and i've totally kicked that bad habit for almost a year now! GO ME! Another lovely hair style and my friend in the background with the big perm hair!

This is me and my high school BFF Leslie. Yeah, that's right, we rocked those weekends! LOL! We had soooo much fun, sometimes too much fun, back in the day! I will say that Facebook has absolutely let me reconnect with friends that i've lost touch with over they years and Leslie is one that i'm truly happy to have found again :)

All that being said, if you've been following me for very long you know that i've been on a year of firsts since last Summer. You can read about some of that here. Blog land is one of my firsts and has landed me some pretty lovely friends! I can always take a little stroll to Ms. Ginger at Savannah Granny and get the best feeling, like i'm sittin' there yippin' and yappin' with my favorite Aunt Sue (i'll have to show her to ya'll soon) or drop on over to Daph's at Flip Flops & Pearls and she's like my BFF blog friend, even though she doesn't know it yet! Sorry Daph if it's a little creeper! LOL! Of course when I peek in at Stonegable with Ms. Yvonne, I feel she's rekindled my dedication to family and home and I honestly don't think I could ever repay her. Then there's Melissa at A Little Loveliness, she's the reason I started blogging, just a random web search for a dress pattern lead me to Melissa. Her commitment to her family and faith through a lot of ups and downs kept me coming back every day and all lead me here........with all of you! :)

Sorry ya'll, I usually don't dwell on me, myself and I too much but it's my birthday so I thought "what the heck!"

If I haven't lost all respect of my followers with these old pics and my ramblings, then come on back later this week for my birthday giveaway!

Thank you all for the many, many, smiles, advice, laughter, inspiration and support i've received over the last half year!

Many blessings,

Laura

~Chair Makeover~

2011-03-28T07:00:00.006-05:00

Hey ya'll!

All I wanna know is, where the hickety heck did Spring go?

If Mr. Groundhog ever makes his was down here for a visit with me he better be prepared to run, cause i'm out for blood!

Whew! Spring break for the kids is finally over. My two little ones had theirs a couple of weeks ago and then my older daughter had hers this past week. We had a good time together but now it's back to school so I can get back to work (and peace :)!

My Katrina had her "late birthday sleepover party" on Friday night, so we had spent a lot of time last week refurbishing some furniture pieces to go in her room. Of course I had to start by cleaning the dang room.....i'm afraid we're going to be seeing that poor child on an episode of Hoarders. If you think there's no such thing as a child hoarder, you're wrong. She has some sort of paper/office supply thing going on and there's just purses and drawers of it EVERYWHERE in her room! I thought I would never dig out of it.

But alas, we did and got everything done in one day.

Thought i'd share one of the chairs we redid.

Sorry this was the only before photo I had...it's super old cause my little Katrina was just 3 in this pic. The chair is just an old wooden chair my MIL gave my husband years ago. My BIL has one that matches it too. The cushions were blue and I had recovered it when we first got it and it's been in hiding ever since.

So.....we dug it on out gave it a little painting love....

and I dug in my old fabric scraps and found this cute print! I have promised (only to myself) not to buy any more fabric till I use up all my stash and it's quite a lot.....guess I'm going to be making Christmas presents soon.

Here's the finished product! Woo! Hoo! for girly rooms! I know, I know there's stuffed animals all over the place.....above.....below.....around.....believe me we've purged those out a couple of times already and it's like they multiply.

Oh and remember the coffee filter wreath I did for Valentines day? You can see that here. Well, like I said it ended up in the princess' room......go figure :)

Well, glad you stopped by and come back soon! I've got a coffee table makeover i've done and a makeover of an old manicurist chair that came from my MIL's beauty shop. It's too cute! Got a delicious coconut cake recipe just ahead and pictures of the sleepover party....so stop on by when you get a chance!

I'll be joining these parties this week
Susan at BNOTP for Met Monday
Carrie at Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday

Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Party
Debbie at Debbiedoos Bloggin for her Newbie Party
Dominique at Craft Couture for Craft Couture Monday

Ms. Kara at Elements Interiors for Wassup Wednesday

Ms. Tammy at Type A for Anything Goes

and

Ms. Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesday

Ya'll have a wonderful Monday!

Many blessings,

Laura

~Spring Break Gardening~

2011-03-22T18:50:00.000-05:00

Hey ya'll!

Sorry i've been a little MIA the last week. It was spring break for the kiddos around here and for some reason they demand attention. Imagine that :) I've still been dropping by all of your blogs and keeping up with you all!

It was a beautiful week last week, with the exception of the first couple of days with clouds and rain, so we stayed outside most of the time. Thank goodness! You can't keep two active kids locked up for too long.

My UPS man finished up working on a go-cart for the kids and then finished tilling up the garden. That makes me extremely happy :)

Katrina brought home a cabbage plant from school and we planted it. She is supposed to keep up with watering and weeding it and has a log to fill out. When (hopefully if) it grows then we send in a picture of it and she could win a $1000 scholarship. I'm all about trying for some free money.

So......

Grow cabbage, grow!!!!!

We also planted peppers and my BIL told me that it was too soon because the farmers almanac said it was going to snow again! I could have choked him but I told him he and those farmers were wrong (I hope). I do have my tomatoes growing inside right now.

My Hayley is on spring break this week so we are hanging out and making a few alterations on her prom dress....BOO!!! You'd think as much money as you have to spend on prom dresses they would come with their own seamstress!

Katrina's sleepover/birthday party is Friday evening. She's been waiting for this for 3 weeks. We had to wait till the end of the month because everyone was going out of town for the spring break. I'm not sure how i'm going to survive the night so maybe you can send a few prayers my way :)

I'll be back later on this week to show you some birthday treats and decorations.

Hope you all are enjoying your week and having some beautiful weather.

Come back and visit anytime!

Many blessings,

Laura

Birdsong Tutorial/Pattern Giveaway

2011-03-16T11:56:00.000-05:00

Birdsong Tutorial/Pattern Giveaway