Inspiring

Love this photo of President Monson. I added the quote on the side. We're making birthday gifts for the sisters in our ward using this photo. I'll show you when it's finished. Can't wait!

N's Nursery

Here are a few photos of our baby girl's nursery. The projects I did were simple and budget-friendly.

These hoops were really easy. A lot of the fabric I found in scrap baskets at a local fabric store - they gave them to me for free! I just used wonder-under to apply the bird, letter, and heart. All in all this project was under $15!

This wreath was only a dollar. These hydrangea's were from centerpieces from our wedding. I'm so glad I found a use for them. Foam wreat forms can be found at the dollar store. Cut the stems and poke them in the wreath. I used hot glue to keep the stems in place. I think this took less then an hour to make. Told ya I did simple projects.
Different versions of this pillow can be found all over the web. I used this tutorial from V & Co. It was fun to make and a good project for beginners (the sewing doesn't have to be perfect).

Let me know if you have any questions with anything! I hope to be posting more from here on out!

Happy Moms

I read this message today and it really lifted my spirits. Its written by Heather Johnson over at Family Volley.

Since the beginning of time, all of mankind has had something in common, we want to be happy. I know I want to be happy. My greatest happiness and joy comes from my family. Receiving awards, recognition, money, doesn’t compare to the feelings I have when our daughter learned to ride her bike without training wheels or when I saw the smile on our son’s face when he worked side by side with his dad on his pinewood derby car. But, if I am not careful, the stress of taking care of others and managing family life overshadows the happy and leaves me sad and miserable. It doesn’t have to be this way. This plan of family life is meant to be a happy plan.

Here are 8 things that Happy Moms have in common.

1. Happy Moms Avoid Comparisons As mothers and women we have a tendency to compare ourselves to others. If we want to be happy, we have to stop. We are usually comparing our weaknesses and shortcoming to someone else’s strengths. It is not a fair comparison. And, when we compare, we foster feelings of jealousy and envy. Those feelings will make us miserable. There will always be someone skinnier, with a cleaner house and with kids that seem more behaved. Always. SO what…comparing will not make us skinner, or our house cleaner. Don’t waste energy on comparing. It is the same with our children. Don’t compare our kids to others. When we do, we miss all the magic that is in each of our own children. We overlook how wonderful and unique they are. And we put unfair pressure on them. When we find ourselves longing for someone else’s life, sit down with a piece of paper and pen and start listing all the things you are thankful for. List all the blessings in your life. When you feel yourself starting to compare again, get out the paper and re-read all that you are thankful for. We will quickly realize how blessed we really are. The other thing we can do to stop the comparing is to serve others. Serving others brings humility and helps us recognize our many blessings. Lastly, we have to be careful with social media. It is easy to read about all the recipes and refinished furniture and beautifully sewn cloths and feel inadequate. Just because we don’t do all those things, doesn’t mean we are less. Nor should we compare ourselves to all the “ideal” posts we read.

2. Happy Moms Recognize Their Worth. There comes a time when we have to accept ourselves, as is. We need to love ourselves. Instead of wondering what we are good for, we need to know that our role is THE most important role. We are raising and influencing future generations. We are primarily responsible for nurturing little human beings. It doesn’t get more important than that. Even if we don’t have children of our own, there is nothing that compares to a women’s loving influence. Take a minute and write down all the things that you are good at. Don’t be shy, write them down. Maybe you are a good friend, patient, a talented seamstress, or creative. Own them, find strength in your strengths and use them to help others. The sooner we can recognize our true worth, the happier we will be.

3. Happy Moms Choose Good Friends. We are quick to preach this to our children, but do we realize how important it is for us. We need to surround ourselves with people who lift us up, who believe in us, and who support us. Avoid relationships that are one sided and draining. We want friends who don’t compare, who revel in our successes and who believe in lifting others up, not putting others down. That is also the type of friend we want to be for others.

4. Happy Moms Have Faith and Pray The act of being faithful, in and of itself raises our spirits and gives us hope. Hope is happy and healing. Couple that hope with prayer and the sun will shine happy rays. :) Even on the worst of days, having faith that we are trying our best and that tomorrow will be better, can help us feel happy today. Prayer can help us lead happier lives also. It gives us a chance to express gratitude and ask for help. When we pray, be specific. Yesterday I prayed that I could be more creative with our 3 year old. Lately she has wanted me to play zoo, and make animal sounds. Sometimes that is hard for me, so I asked for help. Pray for more time with your family, pray for stamina to get through a long day. Sometimes my prayers are that I can get through the next 15 minutes. Happy moms have faith. For me, faith helps because I know that I am never alone.

5. Happy Moms Make Time For Themselves As mothers and women, we tend to take care of ourselves last. I have caught myself more than once saying “when the kids are older then I will have time for….”. We need to stop thinking like that. We should find some time for ourselves to cultivate our gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn to do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. It is not selfish.

6. Happy Moms Simplify We need to clean up and clear out. Take a look at your schedule and make sure it is not too full. Don’t over schedule our kids, or ourselves. Juggling a million things doesn’t make us better moms with cooler kids. It just stresses us out. We are not happy when we are stressed. Our kids only need one or two extra activities, same with us as moms. We should simplify our homes also. Too many clothes and toys in our homes and cars add stress. It can become overwhelming to manage so much stuff. Simplify. Cut down to what is manageable and spend less time keeping up with all the stuff, and more time with those you love, doing things you want to do and being happy.

7. Happy Moms Stop Worrying I am very guilty of this. I am a worrier. It causes stress, and then I am not happy. It will take practice, but think about it this way: If you can’t change it or control it, then there is no need to worry about it. Instead think about what you can control and put your efforts there. The other thing we can do to stop worrying is to turn off the news. I watch the news filled with all the negative and horrible and I worry more.

8. Happy Moms Smile and Laugh Smiling and laughing naturally brings happiness. Let your face light up and let out a giggle. In fact, smile at someone else and watch their face light up. We can get so rushed and serious that we forget to be happy. So even if you have to force it at first, smile.

Thumbdrop Cookies

These cookies were made somewhat by accident. I made a batch of regular peanut butter cookies and decided to "spice" them up a bit. I thought of thumbdrop cookies and knew I should put my grandma's homemade raspberry jam to good use.

THUMBDROP COOKIES

1/2 c shortening

1/2 c peanut butter

1/2 c granulated sugar

1/2 c packed brown sugar

1/8 t baking soda

1 egg

2 T milk

1 t vanilla

1 3/4 c all-purpose flour

1/4 c granulated sugar

1/2 c preserves

1. Beat shortening and peanut butter with an electric mixer 30 seconds. Add the 1/2 c granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Beat until combined, scraping bowl. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla. Beat in as much flour as you can. Stir in any remaining flour.

2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the 1/4 c granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Immediately press down gently in middle with edge of spoon or end of a wooden spoon. Drop about 1/2 t preserves in center.

These are delicious!

Nursery Inspiration

After finding out we were having a girl, I got giddy thinking about a cute, feminine nursery. I put together a few ideas that I might use.

Olivia Crib set from Target

Fabric Hoop Art

Sheer pink curtains

Rose Pillow

Minky fabric

Here's a closer look at the fabric for the bedding

These lanterns would look great too.

Martha Stewart

I'd love to make this adorable lamp shade

Pottery Barn

Or perhaps some vinyl on the walls.

EtsyWhat do you think. Any other good ideas out there?

Cowboy Caviar

In honor of Pioneer Day I thought I'd whip up one of my new favorite recipes: Cowboy Caviar. Its a perfect dip or salad for a hot summer day.

COWBOY CAVIAR

2 T red wine vinegar

1 1/2 to 2 tsp hot sauce

1 1/2 tsp salad oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/8 tsp pepper

2 firm-ripe avocados

1 15 oz can black-eyed peas

1 11 oz can corn

2/3 cup sliced green onion

2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2-3 tomatoes, chopped

salt

1 bag tortilla chips

2 cups shredded lettuce or cabbage (optional)

1 - In a large bowl, mix vinegar, hot sauce, oil, garlic, and pepper. Peel, pit and cut avocado into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to vinegar mixture and mix gently to coat.

2 - Drain and rinse peas and corn. Add peas, corn, onions, cilantro and tomatoes to avocado mixture. Mix gently to coat. Add salt to taste.

3. Serve with chips or add lettuce/cabbage to made a delicious salad.

Hope you enjoy!

BBQ Invites

I made these invitations for a neighborhood BBQ and thought I'd share. I used my free picnik account. It was easy to make!

I thought some of you would like a blank invitation. Right click and save.