Colorless Day

Today the weather is particularly drab outside. The clouds just do not seem to want to go away and after 3 days of the sun barely showing herself I decided we needed a touch of color in our lives. So what did we do? We had a nice fall lunch.... :)

I wish I had a better photo but starving child comes before photo session....Just sayin.

Look at the beautiful orange, red and browns....ahhhh I love fall! And Averee loved her lunch...Bonus! One trick I use to get Averee to eat all of her carrots (although she usually is pretty good at this)...I give her just a tiny bit of maple syrup to dunk her carrots in...She LOVES this and eats them all every time!

Guess what?? The sun is finally showing herself....we better run outside before she decides to hide away again!

Happy last day of September oh and Happy Birthday to baby Lucas! We can't wait to meet you!

By the way....I would like to thank all of you for reading! It is really cool to know that this isn't just floating around blog world but that someone is actually checking it out! Thanks!

{It's} a Wordless Wednesday kind of day

Photos created by Ashley of Ashley Poole Photography (http://www.apoolephoto.com/). As I am sure you have learned by now I LOVE photography so I can be a bit picky about photos but as you can see she is amazing!  I couldn't pick just one photo for wordless Wednesday although if I had to it would be the B & W of Av laughing....that is 100% her! Be sure to check Ashley's site out!

{Every} girl needs a place for her bows!

So this is fantastic! A super cute way to display a little girl's beautiful hair accessories! I mean you spend enough money on them....why not make them a piece of art right?

I found this tutorial for an adorable cork board and knew right away that this was exactly what Averee needed for her room!

The entire project hardly cost any money (or time for that matter) since I had left over fabric and ribbon from her room. I did need to buy a 10 x 10 piece of canvas and cork board. I bought the canvas and cork board for around $5 (Joann's always has great coupons in the Sunday paper!)

What you need:
10x 10 piece of canvas (or any size that you wish to use)
Cork board ( I used the roll and cut it to size)
Ribbon
Button or Embellishment

Hot glue gun

Staple gun (it is OK if you don't have this but it makes the project a little easier)

And I apologize for the photos. Major difficulty getting the settings right on the night of crafting!

To start cut your fabric to 14 x 14 (or measure depending on the size of your canvas)

Fold side and use the staple gun to staple in place (I did opposite sides first)

     

    

Then fold sides as if you were wrapping a present. Use staple gun to secure in place.

     

This is what your board will look like

     

Next cut your cork board to size. I cut mine to an 8 x 8 square to leave a 1 inch boarder around the sides.

     

Now it is time to make your flower. Cut three circles of varying sizes. Using two different fabrics will make the flower stand out more.

      

And because I am not very good at doing a free hand circle I used these to create my circles.

     

Next take one circle at a time, place hot glue (best if using a low temp glue gun to avoid burns) and then pinch in the middle. Do this with all three circles

This is what they will look like. Then starting with the large one on the bottom, hot glue the middle size circle to the center of the large one and repeat with the small one to the medium size one. Finish by gluing a button or embellishment of choice in the center. Then hot glue finished flower to desired location on board.

Last cut ribbon of choice to desired length and hot glue to bottom of board (on the back side of the canvas board). I also chose to add a pink bow to the bottom of this ribbon which I just hot glued directly to the ribbon.

And here is your finished product! Isn't it beautiful? Now we can nicely display photos and hair bows in her room. You can of course add multiple ribbons to the bottom or make the ribbon longer. I chose this because it worked for the space where we wanted to hang it.

Now she has a beautiful holder to match the rest of her room perfectly!

 

This would make a great gift for a baby shower or birthday party for any little girl or even just as a cute piece for your own home (without the ribbon on the bottom)! I am actually planning to make more just to use as a bulletin board for my laundry room!

Coming up next....Averee's Halloween custom and a new project that I am starting today!


Where did I learn how to create this beautiful board? Well from one of my favorite sites of course! http://www.landofthemisfittoyz.blogspot.com/ . Michelle (yes her name is Michelle too!) Has incredible tutorials on all sorts of amazing crafts! You should definitely check her site out! Happy crafting!

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Letting the Creative Juices Flow

{War} with the Kitchen

And well....the kitchen won.

I must say this was completely unexpected although looking back it probably shouldn't have been. I mean since we decided to crack down on our budget and eat strictly mostly at home I have been preparing most dinners. And I must say they are quite delicious (OK maybe not all of them but they are still edible and take care of the whole need for nutrition thing.)

Well tonight, being the first day of fall and all, I decided we need something yummy. Something rich. Something that I never ever make because it is most likely harmful to my waistline....Shepherd's Pie.....say it with me "Yuuuuummmmmmy!"

So I bust out the potatoes (luckily I had all the ingredients even though I was not planning on this type of meal this week) and started preparing.

I mashed and I mashed and I added some butter (yeah butter...shocking) and whole milk (another shocker) and then I mashed a little more. I added some salt and some pepper to make them just ohhhhh so tasty. And it was finally time. That moment when they were just mashed and it was time to taste (Score for me!) to make sure they were just right. So I grabbed a spoon and lifted it to my lips and what I got was pure heaven dreadfulness!!!!

Not what I expected! Oh no what did I do???

Can you guess? I dare you too. This just shows how easily ones mind can get distracted while attending to a 13 month old...

I. Forgot. To. COOK. The. Potatoes!!

No joke...that's why I had to do all of that mashing.


I mean honestly, this is just the kind of stuff that you cannot make up and I give you total permission to LOL (did I honestly just use that expression?).

So now that it was already heading towards 6 pm and I still did not have dinner on the table I was in panic mode....I had a screaming toddler (from pure starvation), potatoes who in my bit of furry I threw down the drain with their peeled skins which were now clogging my disposal and no food! What was I to do. Well what came next was just pure genies.

I decided to make a "light" form of Shepherd's Pie and I call it "The Little Shepherd" (well until I come up with a better name. Any ideas?)

I continued to make my Yorkshire pudding, got the gravy going and then took hamburger meat, frozen corn and canned new potatoes and started to saute them together. No butter, no oil, no milk. Just sauteed together with some salt and pepper. Once it was cooked I placed it on a plate drizzled a little gravy on top and we had an absolutely, melt in mouth, made you think you were at Grandma's home cooked meal.

Divine!

This one will go on the list for a simple, delicious meals to whip up in a hurry! Next time I plan to add some carrots and peas to the mix to add a little bit more nutrition. But it honestly satisfied every bit of my need to eat something hearty! And Averee loved it! Take that Kitchen! I think it's a win for the real life mom tonight!!!

Any hearty fall meals you would like to share?

Tie onsie/shirt for your favorite little guy!

Here's the "How to" to make your very own tie onsie/shirt!



I made this onsie back in May for my favorite little man, Campbell. I saw a tie onsie on Etsy (one of my all time favorite sites!) and figured... "Hey I could do that!" So off to the craft store I went!

Items that you need:

Fabric of your choice

Iron on adhesive

scissors

onsie/shirt

computer paper

pencil

Iron and Ironing board :)

On your computer paper draw outline of the tie. I decided to do this on computer paper instead of on the iron on adhesive so that I could get it "just right." Then I cut it out traced it on the iron on adhesive and cut the pattern out of the adhesive.

Next, iron on the adhesive to your piece of fabric (make sure it is the part of the fabric that you want for your final product).

Cut out the fabric with adhesive backing and....

Iron it on to your onsie/shirt!

Then sit back and relax...maybe with a nice glass of wine...because you are DONE!

Honestly, it doesn't get easier then that and it is beyond CUTE! It can make a great gift for a baby shower, birthday, Christmas or even just because! And a bonus....the onsie/shirt is washable! Score for the real life mom!



Cute Fabric Flower applique

As you know I was on the hunt to create a new Gator outfit for my sweet Averee. In the process I discovered how EASY it is to make a super cute fabric flower that can be used as a hair accessory or a super cute applique (Hey even mom could wear it!)

Here's the easy step by step "How to":

To start measure out a piece of fabric 20 inch x 2.5 inch

Once the fabric is cut fold piece in half (length wise) and hot glue seam together.

Then take your piece of fabric and slowly fold it in a circle around itself (use either hot glue or sew to hold in place...It is definitely easier with hot glue. I do recommend sewing the button on though if you have a baby/toddler who puts EVERYTHING in their mouth. I would love a visit from you but would prefer it to not be on the pediatric floor of the hospital. :))

Add a button or any other piece to the center and then add a clip to the back (I prefer alligator clips...easier to use with little ones :) )

For the onsie just take a small piece of ribbon and sew a loop onto the onsie wherever you would like the applique to be.



Great thing about this is the applique is interchangeable and the onsie is washable! I dont' know about you but with my little monkey this is a MUST.

And here's the final product!

Where did I learn to do this? Well I wish I could say that I was just that creative but I learned it from this incredible blog that I love. http://www.landofthemisfittoyz.blogspot.com/

Her name is Michelle and her daughters name is Avery (hehe no wonder I love her blog right?!?) She has incredible tutorials that are all super easy to follow and are really cute and fun! I would highly recommend that you check out her site!

Coming up next....how to create a tie onsie/shirt and then the super cute cupcake onsie!

It did take me 3 tries until I was satisfied for my fabric flowers :) but I think one of my favorite things about them is they are all unique and each one is a little bit different! Happy Crafting!



{Gator} Baby

In our household Saturday's during the fall = football day. For those of you who don't know we are die hard Gator Fans (It's Great to be a Florida Gator!)

Well last weekend as we were suiting up for the big game (ie domination over Tennessee) I realized that my sweet little Averee only had one Gator shirt in her closet that still fit!!! OMG How could we have let this happen! How is she supposed to get away with just one shirt for 14 Saturdays (Yeah I'm hopefully we will be playing through January!). Sure sure you say....Just do laundry and she can wear that same shirt. But I would have to respond with..."Well where's the fun in that?!?"

So on our quest for some new digs and a need to stay on a budget (ie $20+ shirts/dress weren't in our future) I decided to bust out the glue gun....and here's what I got.





Now I know what you are thinking....that she is the most beautiful toddler that you have ever seen! Or "Wow, Orange and Blue are such incredible colors together!" OK ok...so maybe I wont be converting you as a Gator Fan yet but the great thing is these onsies and bows can be made with any fabric/colors (although I stand by my statement that Orange and Blue are by far the best!)

The coolest thing about the onsie is...

The applique is interchangeable!

What'd ya think?

Stay tuned to learn how you can make your very own fabric flower clippie/applique!

Sneak Peak...

Get excited because The Real Life Mom is learning how to be more "crafty". And trust me....If The Real Life Mom can do it....Anyone can do it!!!

Can you guess what it is?

{Lady} who Lunches

Big hats, beautiful pearls, gorgeous heels, decadent food.

Not this lady!

This lady prefers meals that take five minutes or less to prepare, include peanut butter in some kind of way (my kinda girl!) and isn't afraid to make a mess of herself! To be honest...the messier the better.

A little bit of fiber with a dash of protein

Fruit of course!

Hmmmm..Do I like this?

I think it's a home run!

My motto is make it healthy but make it easy! Hello....did you forget that part that I work full time....nights to be exact!

With this meal she is getting two fruit servings (of course organic :) ), whole grain, protein, fiber and some healthy fats! Whoa...I think we have a keeper....I'll mark that down as a win for The Real Life Mom!

What's your toddlers favorite lunch?

And get excited...The Real Life Mom is going crafty! Be sure to check back for details!

Attn: All {Coffee} Lovers

Alright...so today was shopping day. Grocery shopping of course :). I'm not going to lie...I wasn't totally in the mood for the grocery store today but it was still, overall, a successful day.

Here's what I got:



Total spent $89.31

Total saved $76.55

Now anytime I can get a jumbo box of diapers and refill wipes and still stay in my weekly budget I'll take it.

Best deal right now though is for all you coffee lovers out there! Publix right now has Folgers 33oz for $6.29. Add that with the $1 off Folgers coupon that was in the Sunday paper this week and you are getting 240 cups of coffee for $5.29 or .022 cents per cup :). I bought 2! And at publix they currently have international delight creamer on sale for 2/$3. Pair that with the $1 off per pint pully coupon in the store right now and you can get each creamer for $0.50. Again....I bought 2!

Happy Shopping everyone!

{Fresh} Ones

{Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God.} ~Barretto

It is hard to believe how they start out...so tiny and new. There is something about them that is just so fresh! Their newness brings loved ones together to celebrate the miracle that they are.

This last week I have had the honor to meet two new and fresh miracles...pause as my heart skips a beat...

MacKenna Lynn

Charolette Elizabeth

(The Newest member of 7th lane :) )

Meeting these two baby girls and snuggling them brought back so many memories of my wee one...It seems like just yesterday that God blessed us with our miracle...

Averee Ann

She stole my heart before she was even born....

The moment you get to hold your baby for the first time is probably the single most incredible experience in life. That moment showed me just what love is. I knew that our life would never be the same but I also knew that it would be SO much better because she was apart of it. Cherish these moments because they quicklypass but get excited because it gets better every single day! Thank you Averee Ann for being my treasure, my stardust...my beautiful gift from God!

Save the drama for you Mama...

OH wait! Crap....THATS ME!!!! and my little lady is full of it...

I have to admit I was totally shocked when the first tantrum arrived. I mean honestly who was teaching her this stuff?!? I was certain it was not from me as I am way to cool, calm and collected to be called dramatic. (Ok so maybe the last line wasn't totally the truth but shhhh it can be our little secret!)

As she whithers herself to the floor (as not to hurt herself of course) she will look up and wait for you to look at her...and as soon as your eyes meet hers....BAM she drops her head and the flood gates open. If I didn't know better I would swear she was rehearsing for a new drama series due out on Fox later this fall. I mean honeslty...this is the kind of stuff you just cannot make up.

As I googled ways to survive tantums (since I can't seem to control my laughing thus encouraging her tantrums further) I came across this...Native Remedies Tula Tantrum Tamer Pillules, 20 Grams 

You have got to be kidding me!!! Drugs for tantrums?!? As great as this little miracle pill sounds (NOT) I would prefer to use a more traditional parenting technique...you know like a non pharmacutical one. So I am bringing it to you...The Real Life Moms....How do you survive and what are you tips....because as funny as it is now...I am fairly certain in 15 years I probably wont be laughing any more.... :)

Thankful...

As I sit here in tears I am thankful for the life God has given me.

I just finished watching a video of a friend who's baby passed away. The video was stunningly beautiful and was a wonderful way for her family and friends to get to know her daughter. Her sweet daughter passed at just 29 weeks gestation. It is a reminder to me that life is simply to delicate to take advantage of.

I'm not sure how she does it but she has handled everything so graciously. The video alone shows how she was able to embrace God and take comfort in knowing that her baby girl is in a better place. I am certain that I would be unable to compose myself the way that she has and look at the positive side of things... remembering the few short moments that they had together.

Please remember to be grateful for what you have and remember to thank God for the gifts that he has given you.

Here are the things that I am thankful for:

*My loving family
*My incredible husband
*My sweet baby girl
*My amazing friends
*My energetic puppy dog
*My career
*And most importantly God and the life that he has given me

What are you thankful for?




If you begin looking at each breath as a blessing, then suddenly everything in an ordinary life becomes a miracle.
Kirsti A. Dyer

Mad at Jodi?!?

"Alright...so call me later...and oh yeah...you're parents want to know why you are mad at Jodi?"

Jodi? I'm thinking to myself who in the H...E double hockey sticks is Jodi? Am I so mad at her that I don't even remember who she is? Had I erased all memories of her as to protect myself from her awfulness???

I then remember that my parents called me a few times earlier and I wasn't able to talk to them so as I rushed into work I pulled out my phone and stumbled as I tried to dial their number. I was a little nervous about the wrath that might be Jodi and I needed answers STAT!

The first thing my dad said as I answered the phone was "Who is Jodi and why aren't you speaking to her?" I quickly informed him that I was hoping he was going to be able to tell me who the heck she was since I am certain that I don't know anyone by the name.

What came next is just further proof as to why social networking sites can get you in trouble. Here's where it all began....

I posted this on one of my bestest facebook walls yesterday.

"Ummmm so I seriously can't wait to see you and my handsome god baby in just a few weeks! Sooo excited! Oh yeah and by the way....finally read Handle with Care...Right now I am having a love/hate relationship with Jodi! We currently aren't speaking :)"

Now to me the message was quite clear as to who Jodi is...She is an author! And I am angry/mad/sad/happy/and a little bit of everything in between with her book Handle with Care!

Phewwww....I thought to myself as I hung up the phone. I was certain that I was going to need to be on my toes for the next 3674 days as I waited for Jodi to hunt me down and demand an answer to all the madness! At least the crisis was diverted and I could breath a little easier knowing Jodi wasn't after me!

Ohhhh Mom and Dad....I'll be sure to include a disclaimer next time stating that all the proceeding comments are of a sarcastic nature and are not to be taken seriously in any way...shape...or form.

Do you have any funny social networking stories to share? I'd love to hear them!

If you have not yet read this book and are looking for a good read I do highly suggest it! It is the type of book that you won't be able to put down and I'm quite certain that you too will have a love/hate relationship with Jodi after reading it. Click here to check it out! Handle with Care: A Novel