Yes, I'm still here {random update and exciting news}!!!

I haven't really been around blog land this week; work has been crazy busy this week (shh...that's when I do most of my blogging...after my work is done, of course!), haven't been feeling the greatest, and I've been extremely busy getting ready for Danielle's baby shower Saturday afternoon!!  So this is kind of a random post...

As I mentioned, tomorrow is my best friend Danielle's baby shower, and I couldn't be more excited about it!  Me and another friend are putting it on for her.  It's going to be short and sweet...just the way I like baby showers!  I think we're going to play 1-2 games, and have cupcakes and punch!  I've been busy creating some personalized stuff for Maycee's nursery!  Yep, she's naming her little girl Maycee!  Don't you just love it?!  I also made some cupcake toppers last night...they were a little of  a pain in the butt, but they turned out really cute!!  Tonight after work I'm off to my {small} hometown for the weekend.  I can't wait to show you pictures from the shower next week!!  Until then, here's a sneak peak at one of her personalized gifts from me (sorry, crappy pics from my phone again!)...



Love!

 On to other FUN and EXCITING news...D AND I FINALLY SET A DATE!!!  We sat down last night with our options in front of us, figured out what would be best (and cheaper I might add), and set a date!  We had a couple reception places in mind, but the one we ended up picked I felt we were supposed to be picking!  And we've already figured out our caterer (a local traveling BBQ guy), and possibly our entertainment!  We still need to find a ceremony venue, but we have a couple places in mind. 

Oh....wait...what's that????  You want me to tell you the date??!?!  Oh yeah...........................

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APRIL 28TH, 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't tell you how excited I am!!!  I feel like I can actually start planning the fun stuff, and I seriously get butterflies just thinking about it!!!  We have 364 days until OUR special day!!!  Eeekkkksss :) :) :)

I promise I'll have a couple projects to share next week!!  Ok, I'm off to finish up here at work so I can get on the road.  I hope you all have a fab weekend!!! XOXO!

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY SECRETARYS DAY!!

I'm not sure if I've ever said what my job was, but I'm one of the secretary for D's dad's business.  Yes, D and I work together, it's not bad at all.  I love my job!  It's pretty easy, and I honestly can't complain!  Sometimes (like right now actually) "fun" projects pop-up, which  make me want to pull my hair out, but all in all it's great!!  Today is Secretary's Day, so Happy Secretary's Day to all of you out there!!!

Check out the flowers the guys sent me today!!!



I love 'em!

 Don't you just love how Springy they are...lovin' the pretty daisy, tulips and lilies!  Oh and the funky pink and purple metal stuff!! :)

Just in time for Easter...

Today is Easter...no, it's not just about Bunnies, Baskets, Eggs, etc...but it's all about Jesus.  He died so we could live free of sin.  How amazing is that?  God is amazing, plain and simple!

You know what they say, that the power of prayer is amazing too, right?  Well, I wanted to share this story with you...

http://theparishfam.blogspot.com/2011/04/her-name-is-grace.html

You will get chills.  You will tear up.  This is proof that prayer is very, very powerful.  It will remind you that God does have a plan for all of us and it's bigger than any of us will EVER know.  So keep on praying and don't lose faith; even if you don't get an answer right away, He does hear you.

Happy Easter to you and yours...
God Bless! :)


John 3:16-17 (NLT)

 ¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Happy Easter!

I received this via email and it's too cute not to share!

All I need to know

I learned from the Easter Bunny!

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

There's no such thing as too much candy.

All work and no play can make you a basket case.

A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

Some body parts should be floppy.

Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

The grass is always greener is someone else's basket.

To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

May the joy of the season fill your heart.

Happy Easter!

I know the true meaning of Easter isn't about Bunnies and Eggs, so stay tuned for a link to a touching story tomorrow!

Winning...Necklace & Earrings set!

My last giveaway that I won was a really fun necklace and earrings set from Courtney over at Not So Homemade.  I love anything Black and Silver, it goes with pretty much everything!  So when I opened my package the other night, I was so excited when I saw the Necklace and Earring set Courtney put together for me...


Thank you so much Courtney!! I love it!

Now onto a little about Courtney's blog...She's a little like me when it comes to her blog.  She blogs about random happenings in her life, recipes, and even some crafts.  She loves to make jewelery, she hosts a weekly linky party called What's Cooking Wednesday (here is this weeks link), and she even does some blog designing for other bloggers and even shares some of her tips when it comes to blog design (here is a link to a post that has a whole bunch of blog design tips). 

Here are a few of my favorite recipes she has shared with us...

Fried Pork Chops...mmm my mouth is watering!



Tex-Mex Lasagna...I can't wait to try this!

Mmm...Calzones! Reminds me of Old Chicago!

Here are a couple of my favorite craft posts...


Bridal Shower Card...so pretty!



Custom Designed Candles...seriously looks like something from Pottery Barn or Pier 1!

And some of her and her mom's jewelery that they make...

I would like to thank Courtney again for randomly picking me to win some jewelery, I can't wait to wear it out!!  She's also been so kind to feature some of my recipes on her blog!  So that's the last giveaway, be sure to head over to Not So Homemade and check out Courtney's blog...let her know I sent ya! ;)

Winning...Pampered Chef Garlic Press and Panera Bread Gift Card!

The next Giveaway that I won was from Haley over at At Home With Haley.  When Haley hit 100 followers she decided to giveaway a Pampered Chef Garlic Press and a Panera Bread Gift Card!  I was so excited when I learned that I actually won!!  I already have a Garlic Press, but it's a cheapo that doesn't really work the greatest.  I was stoked to get a new one, let alone a Pampered Chef one!!  I love Pampered Chef, seriously!!  Who doesn't?!  We dont' have a Panera Bread near me, but when I go back to the {big} city I can always hit it up.  I love their Sandwiches, Cinnamon Crunch Bagels, and Potato Soup!  Not all together of course, but those are my favs!

Thank you Haley!!!

Now on to Haley's blog....lets just say she is awesome!  She's always baking up some fresh homemade bread (can you send some my way, please?!) and other yummy food, she hosts fun Recipes I Can't Wait To Try parties every week (she actually makes some of them after we link them up!), and shares some personal stories from time to time!  I think she is an awesome person, even though I've never met her, I can just tell!

Here are some of my favorite recipes that she's shared with us...

Turtle Brownies...Ohh.Emm.Gee!



Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread...seriously, can you overnight me some of this?!



Kolaches...Yum! These remind me of a German Pastry/Bread that my Grandma makes!



Cinnamon Roll Pancakes...oh my heck, I think I need to start working out now!

 Are you guys hungry yet, because I know I am!!!  Now go check the rest of her blog out, and if you like to link your recipes up give her weekly party a try!  Don't forget to check out her Homemade Cinnamon Rolls while you're at it!! :)  Thank you so much Haley!

Winning...Imprint Mat!

I actually won something...and I never win!  Within a 4 week period I actually won 3 giveaways from 3 different blogs, all of which I loyally follow!  I'm going to do a little blurb about each prize and the corresponding blog that I won it from...so here we go with the first awesome prize!

Rachael, who is the voice of Mrs. Adventure, had a giveaway for an Imprint Mat.  This awesome Imprint Comfort Mat showed up last week (the runner size), just in time for me to start baking for my Grandma's birthday party!  Once I got it out of the box, I fell in love with it!  You see, we don't have a dishwasher...well we do, and her name is Kayla (me, ha!), so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen baking, cooking, and doing dishes.  Most of the time my back is killing me before I'm even close to being done.  This mat is really comfortable to stand on, and I found shortly after I got it out of the box, very easy to clean up (I'm also a really messy cook!).  Thank you Rachael for randomly picking me to win, and thank you Imprint Comfort Mat for letting her give one away!


This is the one I got...Cobbleston Pattern in Espresso!
Photo Source

Moving on to Rachael and her fantastic blog, Mrs Adventure...I've been a follower for a few months now and I love reading all of her posts.  She's witty, funny, creative, and not to mention gorgeous!  She loves to tell stories from past and present, and she also shares recipes and craft projects with us.  She also is very eco-conscious when it comes to products that she reviews. 
Here are a couple of my favorite recipes that she has shared with us (there are too many yummy ones to choose from!)...

Blueberry Goodstuff...wowza!



Flank Steak Wrap...really want to try this asap!

Now that I'm hungry, lets go look at a couple of my favorite crafty/home projects she's done...


Cute makeover on this wooden cabinet!

 

Pine Cone Fire Starters...how creative!


Now what are you waiting for...go check out the rest of her blog!! :)

Springy Easter Decor

I've had my Easter Decor out for about a month now, I just never got around to taking pictures of it.  While it's really simple, I think it's really cute.  We don't have a whole lot of room to decorate our house, so I just stick with the bookshelf in our living room (Christmas of course is different!).  It's so easy to swap our decor from season to season.

Top Shelf...
House Plant (gift), White Iron Bird (hob lob), and Spring Subway Art (made by me!)
More Springy than Easter, but I like it!

 

2nd Shelf...
3 Egg Trio (hob lob)

3rd Shelf...
Vase (mine) filled with Ceramic Glittered Eggs (hob lob), Pink Easter Grass (Wal-Mart)
Frame and Books (mine)



4th Shelf
Pink Glittery Iron/Wire Mesh Chick (TJ Maxx $4.99) - he's my fav, so cute!
Check out his "wings" and "hair", they have stripes on them! (even on his little legs!)

 

All together!

Now let's get up close and personal....
 

Pretty Sparkly Eggs!


 

This little trio is fun, and I love the designs on them!



Iron little birdy...yep I jumped on the band wagon!
I actually have 2 of them, they are so cute...I'll be using them a lot!

 

Here's the cute little chick again...adorable!!

All of the stuff I got at Hobby Lobby awhile back was on sale like 50% off or something...I never pay full price there or try hard not too.  So this was an inexpensive way to decorate our house for Easter!


Linking up to...
At Home With Haley
It's A Blog Party
The Girl Creative
Today's Creative Blog
The Shabby Chic Cottage
What Allie's Making Now
Somewhat Simple
Paisley's Passions
Lovely Crafty Home
Just a Girl
The Sisters of the Wild West
Not So Homemade

Groupon Deals - Coldwater Creek, Chocolate.com, & Domino's Pizza!

Have you seen today's deals that are valid online and/or all over the US?  These are great deals that I just had to share with all of you!!! 

With Mothers Day around the corner, or if you're looking to purchase something for your pretty little self, check out Coldwater Creek's Groupon Deal.  $25 for $50 Worth of Women's Apparel and Accessories at Coldwater Creek. This is valid online or at any of their stores...speaking of have you seen their home/gift catagory?!  I didn't know that existed, they have some really cute decor as well as clothes!  Check it out!

Chocolate.com is also offering a wonderful deal that would be perfect for Mothers Day, Birthdays, Anniversaries, or even for a Graduation Party.  $10 for $20 Worth of Decadent Sweets from Chocolate.com.  This is valid online and doesn't expire for 1 year!

Last, but not least...who doesn't love a quick and inexpensive dinner?!  Domino's Pizza is offering an awesome Groupon Deal today, valid at any Domino's Pizza in the US (excluding Alaska & Hawaii).  $8 for One Large Any-Topping Pizza at Domino's Pizza.  You can purchase 3 of these Groupon's and use 1 per visit.  You must place your order online for carryout, and expires May 19th.  Mmmm...pizza!

See I told you they were awesome deals, so what are you waiting on?! :)

Grandma's 80th Birthday Party

I just wanted to share a few pictures from my weekend...

Friday night I headed back to my {small} hometown to visit, and for my Grandma Jean's 80th birthday party on Saturday.  Friday night I decorated a cake and cupcakes for her party, it was a lot of fun!  Saturday, me, Ashley, and my sister in-law got our first pedi of the season!  I ended up with bright pink toes with the new crackle finish in black!  It's really fun and different, and that's what I like about it.  It was so nice...my toes needed some attention!

Ashley and Kelli, getting our toes did!

After we got back to town, we headed out to a shooting range/lodge for her party.  It was supposed to be a surprise party, but she said Grandpa doesn't do a very good job lying!  LOL!  But she was still a little surprised, and some of the family wasn't able to get there until right before supper so she was really surprised then!  It was a nice a little party; caught up with family, most of the guys shot clay pigeons, had an awesome supper, and amazing dessert!  I was there solo, D had something pop up a couple days before hand.  Everyone missed him, but all in all it was a good time!



My cousin Scott's daughter, Merideth...such a cutie!



Grandma & Merideth...awesome picture!

 

Merideth fast asleep in Grandma's arms!



The yummy dessert, courtesy of me!
Chocolate-Fudge Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream,
White Cake with Vanilla Frosting (grandma's fav!)
Chocolate Surprise Filled Cupcakes with Vanilla Frosting

 

These were a huge hit!
I didn't have time to put the reeses pb cups on top like I wanted too.

 


These were pretty tasty too, especially after being frozen!



Happy Birthday!

 

Opening her cards




Jen and Chevelle!

Chevelle...so adorable!

Sunday it was my Grandpa Howard's birthday, so Bernie and I went over to see him and my Grandma Jo.  We took him over a yummy cupcake, he sure loved that!  It was really good to see them as well.  Sunday late afternoon Bernie and I headed home, we were exhausted!  Dustin also came home Sunday night, which was so nice to see him...I really did miss him!

Chocolate-Fudge Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream

This last Saturday was my Grandma Jean's 80th "Surprise" Birthday Party and I was in charge of baking her a cake and cupcakes.  For the cupcakes, I wanted something fun and tasty!  I've seen many bloggers bake Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups inside cupcakes, and one of my cookbooks also has a recipe for them.  I seriously love anything that involves Peanut Butter and Chocolate, well just about anything!  So I decided I would just use box mix Chocolate Fudge cake mix, and made this homemade Peanut Buttercream which I found over at Inside BruCrew Life.  Which btw, she's always baking up something yummy and sweet, check her blog out...love it!  It seriously is the best buttercream I've made and tasted so far!  I could've set there and ate the whole bowl full of frosting...but I decided I better save all those yummy calories for everyone else!!

Nom Nom Nom...!

Ingredients for Cupcakes:
1 box Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker), plus ingredients to make cake
Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped (I used the new Reese Peanut Butter Cup mini's unwrapped and bite sized)

Directions: Mix up cake mix as directed on package.  Line cupcake pan with liners, fill liners with approximately 1 tbsp of mix, add 2 mini Peanut Butter cups into cupcake liner, continue to fill liner to 2/3 full.  Bake as directed on box.  When toothpick comes out clean, they are done!  Cool completely before frosting cupcakes on cooling rack.  Once cool, frost with Peanut Butter Buttercream (recipe to follow), and top with chopped up Peanut Butter Cups. 

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Buttercream:
2 sticks Butter (1 cup), softened
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
2 tbsp Water, plus 1-2tbsp (to use later)
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/8 tsp Salt
4 cups Powdered Sugar

Directions: Cream butter and peanut butter together. Add in the water, salt, and vanilla, and cream again. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, scrape sides after adding each cup. After all the sugar is added, beat in another 1-2 tbsp. water. It should be very creamy and whipped looking.  Frost cupcakes using your favorite icing bag and tip!

Side notes: Before I added in the Peanut Butter Cups, I tossed them in some flower hoping they wouldn't sink to the bottom.  However, some did and some didn't.  I'm not sure what I did wrong, any idea's?  Next time, I think I'll use the normal miniature peanut butter cups, they are a little bigger and  I would only need to use 1 instead of 2 per cupcake.  Also, I only needed to add 1 tbsp of water, but you may want to add another tbsp, depending on the consistency you're looking for. 

I actually baked these cupcakes on Thursday night, decorated one up to take a picture of (and to devour), and the rest I frosted on Friday night after I got to my dad's.  They were a HUGE hit!


Linking up with...
At Home With Haley
It's A Blog Party
Peas & Crayons - What I Ate Wednesday
The Sisters of the Wild West
The Girl Creative
The Shabby Chic Cottage
What Allie's Making Now
Somewhat Simple
Paisley's Passions
Not So Homemade 
Just A Girl
Hoosier Homemade - Cupcake Tuesday
Mom's Crazy Cooking
Talking Dollar and Cents - Muffin Monday
Little Brick Ranch - Foodie Friday

Doing some updating...

You may have noticed some changes going on over here on my blog, I was just ready for something new & fresh! 

I'm not finished, so please bare with me! 

I honestly haven't a clue as to what I'm doing, so I've been doing some research as I go! :)  

The work has begun...

The work on building our shed has begun as of last week!  We had a local company come in a remove all of the existing concrete that was left, which we also found out there used to be a house there, not a trailer.  After they removed several feet of concrete, they filled it all in with dirt.  They also ripped out any grass that was left in the area that the shed will be in, and brought in even more dirt to build the area up.  At the end of the day they leveled everything out.  It is now ready for our pole shed to be brought in and put up.  We couldn't be anymore excited!!  The contractors should be bringing it up at the beginning to mid May, so in a few weeks, more work will take place.  In the mean time here are a few pictures of them getting it ready to go!  Stay tuned.


Tearing the concrete out
Soon we'll be able to park in our garage and not under a carport!

Hole from the concrete

 

More dirt and concrete

 

Big Trucks laying down and leveling the dirt!

Oh and there were several people talking around town, wanting to know what we were building in our large lot.  It was rather funny!!  There was even a little fender bender, because someone was gawking around while driving by!  Got to love small towns!

Weekend with Friends~

We had a fabulous weekend with our friends that came to visit us this past weekend.  Mel, Dustin, and Ali got here about 10:30 Friday night, we showed them around our cute little house, enjoyed the beautiful weather on the porch, and then took them to one of our local bars.  Saturday morning I made this awesome Breakfast Casserole for breakfast...YUM!!  It was perfect, but I think we all ate a little too much!  The guys went out in the country to "blow up" things with their guns, I think they had a great time after seeing a couple videos!  Us girls lounged around for awhile, girl talked (wedding plans, boy troubles, family, etc...), and then we went out for a late lunch.  I took them around the "big" town, showed them where we worked, and took them to meet D's parents.  After we got back to the house, the guys were home, and we all took a nap...we were pooped!  Saturday night we grilled some yummy burgers, Jalapeno Boats, ate some Margarita Popsicles (yummy), and had a few beverages before heading out for the night.  We took them to the other local bar, there was a band playing and they are so good!  This is the band we really want to have play at our wedding reception/dance!!  We ended up at a friends house until 5:00am, playing cards.  Wow, we sure had a lot of fun!!  Sunday we took them to the awesome pizza joint downtown, and then they had to leave shortly after.  It was so good to see them, catch up on stuff, but I didn't want them to leave!!

I didn't get a whole lot of pictures, but here are a few from Saturday night!


Me, Mel, and Ali! :)



Mel and Ali...love these girls!



This makes me giggle...Ali is the queen of funny faces!



Thanks babe...
It looks like he has something weird coming out of his mouth!! LOL