Garden - the start

So after our failed attempt to grow pumpkins last summer we are still hopeful to produce something from the garden this year. We planted seeds and already have little sprouts growing! We are going to try to grow zucchini, beans, and have some flowers starting. I have also been gathering info about growing tomatoes and cucumbers upside down in hanging containers. So we'll give it a try and see how it goes... I'll keep you posted.

Hand cut card

I made this card for Brian, it is hand cut with green and red paper applied to the back. It's a grasshopper playing "Fly me to the Moon" on his violin.

What I'm watching - American Pickers

Brian and I are hooked on this new show called American Pickers (on the History Channel). These two guys search for the rusty goodies most people would walk way around. They clean it up a bit and make a profit.

Brian and I have always loved to antique shop and before kids would spend hours in the antique malls or auctions treasure hunting. That's how we ended up with our waterfall bedroom set and an old wooden wheelchair. The wheelchair was resold a few years ago to make room for kid stuff. But our love for the hunt and deal is still strong. Heck, Brian proposed to me in an antique mall... that's another story, but it should tell you we are "Pickers" by heart and this show is right up our alley!

Music I like... My Home

The song "My Home" is on the CD "Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego". This is one of my all time favorite songs. Brian wanted to play it for our last dance at our wedding. I had never heard it before but as I listened to the words I knew why he wanted it. This is one of those songs that when I hear it playing it transports me back to the dance floor with Brian holding me in his arms and then ending with an Irish jig dance from his sister. Go take a listen.

But then there's your face, dear,
And I know I'll never be walking alone.
The love in your eyes makes it clear,
Telling me softly...
This is my home.

Corners of my home - Wedding

This is in my dining room... I am remembering 10 years ago, our wedding day. I remember at the church before our wedding I sent my maid of honor to give Brian a small gift, the two penguins with a note. Then years later I found the two matching baby penguins and saved those for him as gifts when Amelia and Anna came along.

Another step toward "Green"!

I love to recycle and I have a say I have been bringing bags to the store before it was cool to bring bags. At that time I sewed my own bags because then you couldn't buy them. I remember getting annoyed looks from the baggers, I know it's a bit harder, my bags didn't come with a stand to keep them open.

I am so happy with the progress of reusable bags, did you know that some stores give you money if you bring your own bag? Target gives you 5¢ back and Whole foods gives you money or you can donate the money to their charity. It's just good all around!

When shopping I still used the plastic bags in the produce dept. and when I saw someone who made these tulle produce baggies, I thought wonderful... why didn't I think of this? I had some tulle from some gift wrapping that I had saved and made these super easy baggies. So... if you have a sewing machine get crackin'. If not, your not off the hook because there are several great etsy shops that make these bags, no excuse!

Need to buy bags? Check here or here or here.

Thanks for being GREEN with me!

Cake Balls

The girls and I made these cake balls for Brian to celebrate our 10th anniversary. I found this recipe for cake pops and just made them with out the sticks. The turned out so good that they are now Brian's favorite homemade treat! I like that they are pretty easy to make, look fancy and taste yummy!

1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can frosting (16 oz.)
Wax paper
2 bags of Candy melts

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can frosting. (I use the back of a large spoon, but it may be easier to use fingers to mix together. But, be warned, it will get messy. Also, you may not need the entire can of frosting, so start out by using almost the entire can and add more if you need to.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50)
4. Melt chocolate in the microwave per directions on package. (30 sec intervals, stirring in between.)
5. Place them in the freezer for a little while to firm up.
6. Once firm, insert a stick into the cake ball and dip it into the candy coating by holding the stick and rotating until covered. Once covered remove and softly tap and rotate until the excess candy falls off. Don’t tap too hard or the cake ball will fall off, too.
7. Place on wax paper to harden.
8. Try not to eat them all!

recipe from: www.bakerella.com

The igloo is down

After 3 months in the front yard we finally torn down the milk jug igloo (click here if you never saw it complete). At first Anna stood in front of it in protest, she did not want to tear it down, she loved playing in it. But then we told her she could have the first hit with the baseball bat and she agreed.

I worked hard on building that igloo but it was really a wonderful feeling to hit it as hard as I could with a baseball bat! Then stomping all the milk jugs flat was a great stress reliever! We filled our recycle bin and 3 other neighbor's bins with the jugs.

One neighbor asked if we will build another igloo next year, I laughed and said no way... but who knows... maybe we'll build something else!

The cookies are here!

We picked up the girl scout cookies last week, our troop sold over 1,600 boxes and it filled up one van and one small suv (my car was completely filled with Thin Mints).

Then we took them to our cookie mom Christy's house and filled her living room with cookies. You can't see them all here, but her living room was full!

We took Amelia's boxes home and we sorted them all out. She made herself a sign with an arrow attached to it saying... Don't forget me, is Amelia. She sold 136 girl scout cookies. She is a star! As you can see she is learning to write and is spelling phonetically.

Our troop made over $900 which is great since we were down to $50, so this money will really help!

10 years and counting...

My 10 years married to Brian have been wonderful and I would do it all over again! I am so very lucky to have my best friend by my side everyday.

I love you Brian.