off the grid

i've been laying low for the last few days.  with the busy-ness of thanksgiving and revving up for christmas, i thought i'd take a little internet break.  oh, and i thought it would help the tension headaches that i've been getting-alot-from slumping over at my computer, reading all of your lovely blogs! 

we had a really nice thanksgiving at my aunt's house!  emily ate until she was about to pop!!  she loved everything!  david was a little stinker!  he hardly ate anything with the exeption of a bite of pumpkin pie.  he played all.day.long.  my parents took him for the night so i had an awesome girls day with my sissy and emily.  no, we did not brave the stores--although i would have liked to.  i think it would have been overwhelming for emily.  we had a nice relaxing day with turkey sammiches for lunch!  this weekend is now a blur, but we did get alot accomplished.  the house is ready for christmas to vomit all over it!!  can't wait!

here is emily on friday-nice and relaxed, and david free for the whole day!!

david helped me vacuum this morning!!

i hope you all enjoyed the weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

i can't believe its here already!  i can not wait to stuff my face later!  i'm drooling a little just thinking about it!! 
i have so much to be thankful for this year.  i have a hubby who loves his family, and works hard for them.  he supports me, and holds me up when i'm down.  i am thankful for the smiles that i see on my kids' faces all.the.time.  i am thankful that they are healthy, and bright.  i am thankful for my family.  i have the most terrific parents, and brother and sister.  i am thankful that i have such vivid memories of holidays passed...and of loved ones that are no longer with us.  i am thankful for the roof over our heads, and the food in our tummies. 
i am especially thankful that emily is taking her first steps, and may be full on walking by christmas!!(that one always brings a tear to my eye)  i'm also thankful that emily now lets david kiss her goodnight!(another tear!)

hubby went to emily's thanksgiving feast on tuesday--i was down and out with a terrible  migrane, so i had to miss it :o(  this is what he captured...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and your families!!!

ding ding ding, we have a winner!

congratulations, YONCA!!

you are the winner of my very first giveaway!

i loved reading all of your traditions...they were such a nice pick me up for a long and busy "short" week! hahaha  thanks to all who participated...i will definetly do this again!

(i'll be emailing yonca for her info!!!)

my first giveaway...

starts today!!  here's what you're playing for:

my pottery barn look-alike wreath!

its easy to enter!  Just leave me a comment on this post, telling me your favorite holiday tradition.  don't have one?  tell me one you'd like to start!

Giveaway starts today(nov 23rd) and ends wed. nov 25th. i will choose a winner using random.org @ 8 pm eastern time.  please make sure you leave your email address if it is not linked up!

weekends are too short.

so here we are at sunday already!  sheesh, it goes so fast!  yesterday we got the kids outside for some nice fresh air.  emily wasn't feeling it too much, and preferred to hang on the screened in porch.  fine by me...i'm getting to the point where if the wind blows just right, i have to pee!!  those little things--like peeing when its cold, and facial hair, and seeing things from the eighties(that you don't remember from the eighties)--remind me that i'm not 16 anymore!! 

anyhoo...  david had a blast raking leaves with hubby.  he was out there for hours!  i finally asked him if he wanted a snack, and he drug me into the house!!  i guess some gold fish and juice were sounding better than dead leaves!!  he was a good boy for the rest of the afternoon.  left overs were on the menu.  we're trying to curb out eating out habit--especially with christmas coming! 

i haven't crafted much these last few days.  there are things on the list, but i've just felt burnt out this week!  its too early to be burnt out--i still have christmas gifts to buy!!  so i took some time off to regroup.  that's hard for me to do.  i always have something up my sleeve!  i think this nice quiet weekend is just what to doctor ordered. 

i think these will be the xmas cards pics.  since i can't get them to sit TOGETHER, i decided to try and get a couple of nice individual shots.  i managed to succeed before the camera batteries died...go me!

one last thing!  MY FIRST GIVEAWAY WILL START TOMORROW!!  check back for rules...it won't be difficult--i can't handle difficult LOL!  hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend!

ATWT

so last friday, she did it.  she took more than 7 steps all by herself.  i was so surprised that they sent pics home this week!  i was sad that i missed her first real steps, but the pics make up for it a little.  she is like a whole new kid!  these are the first pics that we have of her walking-not attached to anything(walker, hand, counter top, jean pockets!) i think her talking is not too far behind!  holy cow...so proud.

busy little bee

so here's what i've been up to for the last few days...

winter garland

christmas garland

snowman ornaments

and my favorite...i saw this wreath @ pottery barn for $79 bucks!  (they can keep it with a price tag like

that)

...so i made my own for about $7...

do you like?!  it could be yours!  i'm going to do my very first giveaway next week!!  keep your eyes peeled, i'll let you know when you can have a chance at this baby!

chocolate chubbies

the holiday baking season is swiftly approaching.  this recipe will definetly be added on to my list of must bake cookies!!  how can you resist a name like "chocolate chubbies"?!?!  if you love brownies, chocolate and nuts--this is the recipe for you!  here we go...

Chocolate Chubbies

6 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate squares, chopped

2 (1-ounce) unsweetened chocolate squares, chopped

1/3 cup butter

3 large eggs

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels(i used milk choc)

2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

 

Combine first 3 ingredients in a heavy saucepan; cook, stirring often, over low heat until chocolate melts.(i used a double boiler, but i'm sure this would also work in the microwave) Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Beat eggs and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth; add chocolate mixture, beating well.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to chocolate mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in chocolate morsels, pecans, and walnuts.

Drop batter by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto lightly greased baking sheets.

Bake at 325° for 12 to 15 minutes or until done. Cool cookies on baking sheet 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool.

how fun will these be for christmas?!  they look like little lumps of coal!  make no mistake about it though...you'll definetly make the NICE list if you bake these up for someone you love!!

proud(and teary-eyed) mama!

this is what came home with emily yesterday!

i'm dying!  my baby actually WALKED!  she didn't just accidentally take a step...she didn't stumble and fall...she WALKED!

for the record, yesterday would have been my grandma's birthday.  i believe that she was helping emily from up above.  guiding her and holding her hand for each step that she took. 

its been a long, hard 3 1/2 years of unanswered questions, what-ifs, and wondering if it will ever happen.  yesterday that all faded away.

so proud.

ATWT

this my my grandpa with david last year. he was a very rough, gruff guy while i was growing up...not alot of hugs if ya know what i mean. so i was glad i snapped this shot of him "bird watching" with david. grandpa really does have a softer side.

theta mom thursday

so i had the ultimate time out last week! over 24 hours of ME TIME! that's right, you heard me...24 freakin hours! emily didn't have school thurs and fri due to the teacher's convention. it was amazing...i didn't even have to ask anyone if they wanted to take a child! i would have settled for just one going on a sleepover...but two?! yes, please...thank you! david left for his fun time early in the afternoon. i should tell you that the time emily and david spent together was awful :o( she had a mega meltdown...it sucked! (which made me want to get them the hell out of the house like, immediately!)once david was gone, i packed emily up and took her down to my parents' house. then, it was party time!! i went to walmart, all by my lonesome...it was fabulous...i don't even remember what i bought, but i felt like i was walking on air! on the drive home, i actually got to listen to music with a beat! i turned up the volume, and bopped my head around like an idiot--celebrating my freedom. i got home, cooked hubby and i dinner...and actually got to watch the 5 o'clock news!! the sprout channel was banned until friday evening!! hubby and i should have been swinging from the rafters naked, however, after a nice make out session, we peacefully fell asleep. heaven. it was the most beautiful thing to be able to sleep in. no worries, no making breakfast, no waiting for the bus. awesome. i met my sissy at her place and we hit the dollar store. i think you could literally see the twinkle in my eyes all day. then the kids came home. *poof* the bliss was over. ok, ok, i missed them--no, really--i did!! i ultimately paid the price for said bliss, because both kids were soooo cranky all weekend!! but i'd do it again, damn it!

self doubt sucks

its kicking in big time too! things that i want to make for my etsy shop are just not turning out how i want them too...and its bumming me out pretty bad. there are one or two more things that i'd like to make before i open...i just need to get the materials this week...oh...then figure out how i'm packaging it all! the only things that i'm in love with are my stars...


i want to keep them for myself! lol

this wreath was somewhat of a disappointment...i love it for my house...but in good conscious, i can not sell it. i have not yet perfected the loop for hanging...balls keep popping off--even though i glued them together. my biggest fear is that it would get to the buyer and the balls would be rolling around the box! ugh. so i think i'll just be keeping this for myself.


i know that my ribbon garland will be fine...i just have to get the supplies. here is the one i made a couple of years ago



so yeah. hopefully i'll pull myself together, and get it all done. i think fear is setting in!

need to get my craft on

i've seriously got to get some crafting done if i have any hopes of opening my shop by thanksgiving weekend! i'm hoping that my darling child will cooperate today! haha---yeah, right! he's getting a big fat tooth, so he's been a big grump for the last few days. OH, and i caught him playing in his poopy diaper-again! ack! this is worse than when he was making himself barf while he was supposed to be napping! who knew boys could be this much fun?! :o/

back to the shop...still haven't decided on a name...any suggestions would be awesome!
i've got alot of ideas up in my head for things i'd like to sell, but i don't want to go nuts on purchasing supplies if i'm not able to sell anything! that would suck! what do you think of these ideas:
ornament wreaths(as i get these things made, i'll post pics for some feedback)
ribbon garlands
wire star ornaments
bird nest kits(scraps of yarn and fabric for birdies to make a pretty home!!)
and maybe some embroidered holiday dish clothes

here's what the wire star ornaments look like so far(they'll be getting a bath in silver glitter and a bow)

i made these last year for all of emily's therapists...they were a big hit.
so that's all i have so far...like i said, i need to get my hiney in gear!



lastly...i got my desk cleaned off yesterday!

ok, so maybe everything isn't exactly where it belongs...but its all contained in one neat box until i get another minute to sort it all! keep in mind, i was doing this while david was on the chair(with wheels) trying to play with the mouse. lets just say there were a couple of close calls! speaking of houdini--err, david, he just whipped out a crayon from no where and decided to have that for breakfast instead...ugh!

started a little fire...

under my butt! tee hee yesterday i was completely worthless. i had a headache for the WHOLE day! from the time i woke up until just before bed, i was miserable! we took the kids to my parents' house. thank goodness we did, the extra hands really helped since i was out of it. hubby was a rock star! gosh i love him! he even went to the grocery store for me(we needed the essentials)...he loathes a&p! i've been wanting to get some crafts done for my etsy shop, but i'm still waiting on a few supplies...and yesterday's set back didn't help.

today is a new day. i'm feeling good. david is actually eating his breakfast--not just pushing it around on his plate! the laundry is half done...and after writing this, i will tackle this--


such a disaster. this desk is the "holding area" for important things...that have a spot, but i'm just too lazy to put them where they belong! i'm so sick of looking at papers stuffed all over the place! ok...so i'm off to it! today i am the good housewife! i may even have dinner ready on time! lol i love days like this!

love at first sight

yesterday was my first trip to a dollar tree...and i'm in love! up until recently, we didn't have a dollar store at all in the area. then, like magic, on the way to my sister's house for halloween...i saw it. it was practically glowing. i finally got over there yesterday...ya know...since i was KID FREE...ALL DAY!--i'll share more about that later in the week :o)

anyhoo...i almost shed a tear...ok, ok, maybe i'm being dramatic...but they had some awesome stuff in there!! its true, they have some cheap, crappy looking items...but then there are the diamonds in the rough. like the 12 packages of acrylic christmas balls i picked up to make a couple of wreaths(if they turn out nice, i may be selling them in my up coming etsy shop...stay tuned)...i also came across flour sack dish towels that i plan on embroidering for thanksgiving and xmas. my sister had to drag me out of there. i walked outta there only spending $24 on two full-to-the-top bags, and endless possibilities! aah...yes, my new favorite place.

ATWT

here i am @ a halloween party last week. i do know that guy, but he's not one of my favorite people. he was complaining about his tights all night--dude, you picked the costume!!!

theta mom thursday

ok, so it wasn't technically "me time", but i got out with my hubby to a halloween party on friday night! the music was too loud and there wasn't enough food out...but i had a great time hanging out with my sissy, her fiance, and my friends from high school-who are now married. so what if i had to scream over the obnoxious music to tell them how life was? i was out of my home until midnight! i was so tired when we got home. gave my parents the run down of the party...including the guy with the condom costume. emily doesn't have school for the next two days, so the kids are going on sleepovers tonight!!!!!!!!!! i will have the house ALL TO MYSELF tomorrow!! i could just squeal with delight! i'll let you know how i spend my free day next thrusday!!

taking the leap

i think i'm going to do it. i am going to open an etsy shop. i have been struggling with the decision for a few months now. we don't really have any extra income for me to go out and buy craft supplies that i may not be able to make a profit on. i have not been able to justify it. i've been doubting myself big time, and its wearing on me...i wonder if people will buy what i like to make? however, why not just give it a shot? i've been going back and forth in my head, and i think its just time to jump in head first. i think its a great time of year for holiday decor. i'm going to craft my heart out over the next couple of weeks then open my shop. i think i can, i think i can....

i will start small, with just a few items...ornaments, garlands and wreaths perhaps. i have butterflies just thinking about it! if any of you have any tips for getting started i would love the advice. still trying to come up with a name!! lol
here's the short list:
crafty tina
tina's creations
tina loves to craft
creative tina
little pretties by tina
ok, brain fart...arg!

*deep breath* wish me luck! ;o)

mummy cake how-to

i received such wonderful comments about my halloween mummy cake both here and on facebook. the pic also graced the home page of www.allrecipes.com yesterday! i was totally excited! i wanted to share how i achieved it--err--pulled it off ;o). i am by no means-what-so-ever and expert on cakes or fondant. so i think if i can do it...you can do it too!!

Marshmallow Fondant(i got this recipe from the wilton message boards)1 cup mini marshmallows1 tbsp water1 1/2- 1 3/4 cup powder sugarPlace marshmallows in a standard 1 cup measuring cup and push down and pack them in. Place in a microwave safe bowl and add the water. Put in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Just long enough for them to soften and puff up. Take out and stir with a spoon until it is combined well. At this point it looks kind of soupy. Then add the sugar and mix and fold until all is incorporated and it is no longer sticky. This takes roughly about 5-7 minutes. Take a fondant roller or a regular rolling pin and roll out just as you would Wilton's fondant. I used corn starch instead of powdered sugar to roll this out...worked like a charm! keep fondant in a ball, and covered(you can refrigerate, but it should be @ room temp to roll--do not roll until you are ready to use it)*i found this very sticky to work with...frankly, i was scared! don't be, it ends up being really nice to work with.The Cakeone box of you favorite betty crocker mix! prepared as directed. i purchased this cake pan@ http://www.kitchenkrafts.com/ almost 4 years ago. this is only the second time i've used it! lolwhile perusing the site, it looks like they no longer sell this pan. they do have a mini version or a single "ball pan". however, i think you can do this cake with out this type of pan...use what you have!once your cake is baked and cooled, fill and ice it with your favorite frosting(umm, maybe not strawberry, there will be some frosting showing by the eyes. unless you want a bloody mummy---its up to you!)do not use too much frosting on the outside, otherwise the fondant will probably slide off...or so i've heard from the cooking shows i watch! hee hee ok, time to make it happen. roll out your fondant to about 1/8 of an inch. (reserve a ball of fondant for the eyes-a little bigger than a golf ball)i didn't worry about making it perfect. he's a mummy, he's been buried for thousands of years, he's not supposed to look pretty! using a pizza cutter i cut strips-approx 1 inch in width. start placing your strips on the head, working from the edges to the middle-where his eyes will be. i dipped my fingers in water and moistened the back of the fondant so it would stick to the other pieces. work from the outside to the middle, where the eyes will be. once you get to where you want to place the eyes, its time to create them. remove a piece from the big ball and dye it black-for the pupils. *use gloves if you have them!! dye the big ball whatever color you want his eyes to be. split that in half, roll into smaller balls, and flatten. place on the cake. do the same thing for the pupils. add any remaining strips around the eyes. oh wow, that was long! lol please don't be afraid to try this. i know its too late for a mummy cake, but maybe you can try making a christmas ornament cake? i hope you'll give this a whirl!

a good time was had by all

so halloween is over, but i just wanted to say that my kids had.a.blast!!!!!! david was too little to enjoy it last year, and emily was having tons of sensory problems-so it wasn't very fun for her. this year was terrific. david was running around waving to everyone, going up to doors--even trying to get into peoples houses!! lol talk about stranger danger! so that part freaked me out a little, but he only tried to do it twice. once there was a cute little girl giving out the candy(so who could really blame him?!), and the second time he wanted to see the little doggie. sheesh! emily just enjoyed being outside walking with grandpa and grandma. she looves to walk! ok, so right now she needs a hand to hold, but i'm thinking this time next year she'll be running door to door with david! i was so happy with the whole night. no major melt downs. we all had fun. without further ado, a few pics...
with grandpa...i love her face here!


dragging daddy around