Serenity You

My Cheeky Little Monkeys

2012-05-28T10:23:00.001+01:00

The other day I got up with my kids, got their breakfast and then nipped back upstairs to grab their clothes that i'd left at the top of the dresser. I was gone no more than 40 seconds and when I came back down this is what I found

How Cute!!??

In just that 40 seconds they had managed to get my wash bowl from the cupboard, grab the TV remove and sit in the bowl, while Caitlin also put a nappy bag on her head!

It just made me laugh so much that I had to take a photo of them

Linking to some of these great parties

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Serenity Saturday : 41

2012-05-26T12:28:00.002+01:00

What a lovely hot and sunny few days we have been having here in the UK. Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far. So with summer now officially on the way I thought I might give my blog a little makeover. What do you think? Do you like it?

Thanks to every one who linked up last week.

There was loads of wonderful post, it was so hard to choose which ones to feature, but here they are

Jello Popcorn from Chocolate, Chocolate and More

Button Magnets from The DIY Dreamer

Happy Coaster Pattern from Annemarie's Crochet Blog

Beaded Earring Tutorial from A Rosie Sweet Home

Making Predictable Books from We Can Do All Things

and the most viewed was:

How to Make a Terrarium from Woven Home

If you have been featured please grab the button below

Rules :

you can link anything you want! only rule is that you place my link button on your post or somewhere on your blog. And please visit at LEAST 2 other link ups

I show off the featured links on my facebook page, skinny scoop, Clipix and Pinterest

My favourite posts will be featured on next weeks link party

And also the post that get's the most views from YOU!!

Linking to some of these great parties

Want to see your button here? Click here for more info

Foto Friday : Two Subjects

2012-05-25T11:30:00.001+01:00

Foto Friday's theme is Two Subjects

and here are mine. my two youngest Caitlin and Aaron. There's a story behind this photo that I'll be blogging about next week.

And for Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. Beneath your feet

This is for both 2. Capturing Moment and 5. Currently
Capturing moment because this is the first photo I have took of my youngest walking and currently, because this is something new for him. He's now almost 18 months old and only just started to walk, he was behind because he broke his leg at the beginning of this year, so this is a very special photo

3. Texture

4. Face your fears
We went for a walk the other day and found this rope swing. here's my eldest Ryan having a go, I also had a go too and was terrified

The theme over at the Gallery this week is Picture Postcard

Here's the original for Edit me challenge

And here's my edit

Here's the original for Flip Flop photo challenge

and here's my edit

For my Monthly Photo Challenge
Aprils theme was spring and 4 photos have been featured
And please vote for your over all favourite!
May's challenge has started and the theme is Wide Space
Click here to enter

Also sharing at :

Linking to some of these great parties

Want to see your button here? Click here for more info

My Mum's Birthday Card

2012-05-24T09:35:00.001+01:00

This is the lovely card I made for my mum's birthday

I've only ever made a few cards, but I'm very proud of this one.

I simply cut a heart from aqua card and glued, blue gems, little flower with gem and a butterfly to the front then stuck the heart on the card with foam pads to give it a bit of dimension. I place a 'Happy birthday' sentiment on foam pads also. glued three aqua stars to the bottom and two cream bow at the top to finish it off .

This was really easy to make and I think it looks beautiful

Linking to some of these great parties

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52 Weeks of You : La Fotografia Efectista Abstracta (Abstract Photos)

2012-05-23T10:00:00.000+01:00

Hello! and welcome to '52 weeks of you'
Where every week I'll feature one of YOUR great blogs!
So if you'd like to be seen here email me at serenityyou@hotmail.co.uk
And tell me a little about yourself and your blog
Please note : Get your name down now as there is a 3 month waiting list

This Week I'm Featuring : La Fotografia Efectista Abstracta (Abstract Photos)

As a child I wanted to be a footballer and collected the trading cards of players.  I knew all their names and statistics.
After I had learned them all, I invented a new game. The game was to look at the border around the edge and try to guess the name of the player according to the tones of the sky in the photo. There were over 400 cards in my collection (at the time the photography was analog). I found that not even one of the skies was the same. I spent days trying to guess the names by just looking at a piece of heaven. I think subconsciously that learning how to see the difference in the color helped me a lot. As a teenager I loved playing with a flashlight, projecting light onto the ceiling.  I would cover the light beam partially with my fingers and create light, shadow and movement.   At the same time I was listening to music and trying to create music-related images.  With Sierra symphonic or progressive rock ie: Pink Floid, Yes, Camel, Genesis, ... the rate of movement and form was more leisurely. If I listened to hard rock ie: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelind, Ramones ... The speed of the images increased.
With this experience, I created abstract images that were very suggestive. They woke up my imagination. Since I didn't know English, I created images and stories not related to the subject of songs. This didn't happen when I used Spanish songs. I felt closed and it did not work.Later, I started adding layers of painting and drawing. I would gradually increase the intensity of an area (I was listening to the music of Alan Parsons, Mike Oldfield, Tangerine Dream .. ..) Listening to music helped me feel the change of color tones according to the intensity of light. For me this was just fun. But at one point I wanted to make representational work. I tried painting, but I wasn't trained in painting and it was a disaster.

Eventually after purchasing a SLR camera I discovered that my imagery was based on

light and the only way of painting with light was through photography. Simoueltansly, I had a passon for the paintings of Van Gogh and his freedom working with colour. Thus, I began my adventures with art and the documentaion of my early works in 1987. My art studies are minimal. I haven't been in many competitions or contests, since they ask for a curriculum Vitae.
The biggest challenge was in the beginning was technical. It took a while for me to find the right type of film and lighting for my needs. At the time we only had analog and my resources were very limited. I could not afford to have a laboratory, so I got used to creating the image before shooting. I learned to enjoy creating the scene before shooting, and I think that influenced my creativity and my photography. I have a way of working and an approach to the art sessions. Each time I take the camera is a challenge.My dream is to have my style recognized when it is viewed by others. I have and want a personal style.Light inspires me. The light in a restaurant, at a friends house walking in the street ... This makes it easy for me to make photographs. It is also easy for me to disconnect and go someplace else in my mind. The privilege of seeing and feeling things. Capturing a moment in time. I see more beauty than is represented. I think that happens to everyone. But capturing that moment is very exciting and unique. The inspiration comes first, and then the question of how to represent them, often I am not successful. Ultimately, I try to capture a moment in time. Leovi
I have been a follower of Leovi's work for a while now, and all his photo's are beautiful, but here are my top 5 recent fav's

Watch The Sunrise

To a Princess

Tribute to Mendetz

Tired of Dreaming of You

Tribute to Cat People

Please go and visit Leovi had take a look at all the rest of is beautiful photos

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Yarn Wrapped Hearts

2012-05-22T08:46:00.001+01:00

I've already made a few smaller ones of these, but I think the bigger ones look at lot better

I simply cut some cardboard into a heart shape and then wrapped pink yarn all the way around until it covers all the cardboard then hot glue the end at the back.

These are great for using as home decor. I have some placed in a bowl along with some pot pourri in my bedroom and the look so nice

I'm also selling some of these in my Etsy shop

Linking to some of these great parties

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Serenity Saturday : 40

2012-05-19T12:28:00.003+01:00

I can't believe we are on party number 40 already!!!

Please don't forget to vote for your favourite photo on my monthly photo challenge
And you also have less then 2 weeks to get your entry in for May's challenge. The theme is Wide Space

here are last weeks features

Felt and Ribbon Bookmark from The DIY Dreamer

Strawberry Sorbet from The Real Thing with the Coake Family

The butterfly Project from Stuff a Chicken

And the most viewed was:

50 Summer Printables from Craftionary

If you have been featured please grab the button below

Rules :

you can link anything you want! only rule is that you place my link button on your post or somewhere on your blog. And please visit at LEAST 2 other link ups

I show off the featured links on my facebook page, skinny scoop, Clipix and Pinterest

My favourite posts will be featured on next weeks link party

And also the post that get's the most views from YOU!!

Linking to some of these great parties

Want to see your button here? Click here for more info

Foto Friday : Feather's or fur

2012-05-18T10:00:00.000+01:00

Foto Friday's theme this week is feather's or fur

Scavenger Hunt Sunday items are

1. Rainbow

2. Fluffy

3. Letters

4. Metal

5. Tree/s

The theme for The Gallery is Morning
and here's my morning sky. Lovely isn't it. And here in the UK we have to make the most of the nice weather as most days it's raining

Here's the original for edit me challenge

And here's my edit

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52 Weeks of You : Taming the Goblin

2012-05-17T11:47:00.000+01:00

Hello! and welcome to '52 weeks of you'
Where every week I'll feature one of YOUR great blogs!
So if you'd like to be seen here email me at serenityyou@hotmail.co.uk
And tell me a little about yourself and your blog
Please note : Get your name down now as there is a 3 month waiting list
This week I'm featuring : Taming the Goblin

I'm the Monko, a very lucky mum of one playful little boy (the Goblin who is currently 31 months). My husband (The Hublet) and I both went part time after I gave birth so we could be equal partners in raising our son. He looks after Goblin for the first two days of the working week and I do the last two days. On the Wednesday when we overlap Goblin goes to a Montessori nursery. Hublet also does all the cooking (you see why I'm so lucky!)

We have been trying to include some Montessori methods in our activities at home, although I am also very attracted to Waldorf Steiner philosophies around the importance of play. I started my blog to share the educational activities I was doing with Goblin, hoping others might find them a useful resource. But I have also started adding posts on some of the craft stuff I do - usually having been inspired by blogs like yours!
My favourite post is the puddle hunt. I really enjoyed writing it and it reflects a great deal of the way we do stuff through exploration and not a small amount of mess and mud
Boxing Day - The Puddle Hunt

The monko

Here are my top 5 :

Stressed Out by Messy Sensory Play?

Paper Mache Bowls

Bean Bag Tutorial

Powder Paint & Squirty Bottles

Emergency Vehicle sorting and matching

Thanks for sharing your great site. My little girl is the same age as your goblin, so I will be trying out some of the things you've done with her. Go over to Taming the Goblin and check out all her fun stuff!

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Pure Cuteness!

2012-05-15T09:14:00.000+01:00

I brought a few clothes the other day for my kids from TU at Sainsburys and there so cute I thought that I'd share them with you

This is the little Peppa Pig dress I got for my daughter Caitlin

Along with these ever so cute shoes!

And I also brought my little Aaron his very first pair of proper shoes! There a size 4 and are just so sweet!!

Linking to some of these great parties

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Quick Lamb & Potato Bake

2012-05-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

Serves 4
635 cals 44g fat 24g sat. fat

Ingredients :

2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove
500g mince (I used quorn)
400g tin of plum tomatoes
200ml crème fraiche
50g cheddar, grated
2 tbsp parsley
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Boil the potatoes, meanwhile fry the onion in a little oil then add the garlic and cooked for 4 minutes. Add the mince and cook for another minute. Add the cinnamon, tomatoes and a bit of water and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the parsley

Spoon half the mince into a heatproof dish, and the potatoes in a single layer then add the rest of the mince on top. Mix the cheddar with the crème fraiche and then spoon on top. Put under a hot grill for 3 minutes until browned and bubbling

This is so yummy, great comfort food!
Please note, that there was less calories and fat in mine then what it says above as I used quorn mince.

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Serenity Saturday : 39

2012-05-12T16:33:00.001+01:00

Sorry this is going up late, I'm really ill. got a bad cold, my head is hurting, my nose and eyes are both running and I'm finding it very hard to even see what I'm writing.

Anyway, here are the features from last's weeks party

A Bug's Life from The High Flying Adventures of... Gramma Luvlee

Kids Chore Charts from Pinch a Little Save a Lot

Sweetheart Cupcakes from With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart

Red Onion & Sweet Potato Quiche from Something Sweet

Most viewed was :

All about Alice Inspiration from Little Ladybird

If you have been featured please grab the button below

Rules :

you can link anything you want! only rule is that you place my link button on your post or somewhere on your blog. And please visit at LEAST 2 other link ups

I show off the featured links on my facebook page, skinny scoop, Clipix and Pinterest

My favourite posts will be featured on next weeks link party

And also the post that get's the most views from YOU!!

Linking to some of these great parties

Want to see your button here? Click here for more info

52 Weeks of You : Simply Sweet Home

2012-05-10T12:46:00.001+01:00

My name is Jerri. I'm a wife and cat mommy, and I enjoy cooking, crafts, home decor, and anything creative. I started Simply Sweet Home in 2007. As a newlywed, I found myself surfing the web to find new recipes and housekeeping tips. At this same time I discovered blogging, and since I've always loved writing and website building, I decided to start my own blog where I would share ideas on how to make your home a "simply sweet" home.

If you follow Simply Sweet Home, you can expect to see weekly recipes, weekly giveaways, and a fun linky party each Friday called Friday Favorites, where over a hundred ladies link up their projects. And you'll also find crafts, decor, and fun seasonal/holiday ideas.

My favourite post is my Homemade Samoa Cookies

My fav top 5 post are :

Strawberry Pie

Southern Brownie Pie

Lemon Buttercream Cupcakes

Alfredo Sauce

Hubby's Birthday Cupcakes

Thanks for Sharing Jerri. go check out her site at Simply Sweet Home.
Jerri also has a fab Etsy Shop

Linking to some of these great parties

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My Top 10 : Earring Displays

2012-05-08T07:14:00.000+01:00

Recently I've seen loads of earring displays here are just a few i've found around blogland

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Monthly Photo Challenge May 2012

2012-05-06T09:00:00.000+01:00

Thank you to everyone who linked up last month.
Aprils theme was - Spring
and here are the features :

Seeing Beauty by Amanda

Crafty and Cooking Momma

Miss Information

My Turn (for us)

online survey

If you have been featured feel free to grab the button below

Each month I will give you a theme and all you have to do is link up your photo!!

I will choose my favourites to be featured and Give you all the chance to vote for your favourite from the features. That photo will then become Photo of the Month and will be entered into the Photo of the Year

These post will go 'live' on the first Sunday of every month

This months theme is Wide Space

Linking to some of these great parties

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Serenity Saturday : 38

2012-05-05T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well what a lovely week I've had this week.
On Wednesday I went to the cinema with my husband to watch American Pie The Reunion. It was the first time we have been to the cinemas in 7 years!! Can you believe it. We really enjoyed ourselfs and will have to go more often. It was our first date night, which we have decided to have one once a month. Next one will be on 29th May and we're going for a meal, but this date night will be special because it will be our 8th Wedding anniversary!

As I was late with the party last week am showing last weeks features along with this week.

So here are this weeks features :

Cherry-Almond Vanilla Cupcakes from Baking with Blondie

Washi Tape Birdhouse from The NY Melrose Family

Tape Measure Bracelet Tutorial from Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo

Crocheted Owl from Snickety Things

Paleo Recipes from Reflect

and the most viewed last week was :

Low Carb Peanut Butter Cookies from Jamie's Little Cupcake

And here are the features from the week before

Butterfly Union Jack Tutorial from Twigg Studios

Crochet Gladiator Baby Sandals from Crochet Dreamz

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Cheesecake from Chocolate, Chocolate and More

DIY Whatever Clock from Blooms n Bugs

Ripped Jeans into Slashed Knee Jeans from Mammy Made

And the most viewed link the week before was :

Homemade Calendula Baby Soap from Cranberry Morning

If you have been featured please grab the button below

Rules :

you can link anything you want! only rule is that you place my link button on your post or somewhere on your blog. And please visit at LEAST 2 other link ups

I show off the featured links on my facebook page, skinny scoop, Clipix and Pinterest

My favourite posts will be featured on next weeks link party

And also the post that get's the most views from YOU!!

Linking to some of these great parties

Want to see your button here? Click here for more info

Foto Friday : Shadow

2012-05-04T10:53:00.001+01:00

Foto Friday's theme this week is shadow
and also for Scavenger hunt Sunday
1. shadow

2. Keys

3. Smile

4.Unedited

5. fish

This is the original photo for Edit me challenge

And this is my edit

Here's the original for the flip flop challenge

and here's my edit

For my Monthly Photo Challenge
Aprils theme was spring and 4 photos will be featured this Sunday
And please vote for your over all favourite!
May's challenge also starts this Sunday and the theme is Wide Space

Also sharing at :

Linking to some of these great parties

Want to see your button here? Click here for more info

52 Weeks of You : Pinch a Little Save a Lot

2012-05-03T10:23:00.001+01:00

I’m Bekah and I love blogging, organizing, crafting, and anything having to do with DIY and printables.

I started my blog a few months ago as a way to share organizing and money saving ideas.. I really enjoy getting to know people from around the World through blogging!

I don’t have a favorite post, but I do have one that I’m most proud of. I started the Home Filing System in ‘10 and often wondered if I would ever finish it, but I’m pleased with how it turned out despite taking years. :)

My top 5 favs are :

Printable Emergency Planning Kit

Everyone should have one of these!!!

Cute Square Pincushions

So Cute!!!!

Expiration Date Stickers

Love these

Printable Freezer Labels

Use these one's all the time, thanks Bekah

Christmas Ornament Wreath

so pretty!!

So go on over to Save a Little Pinch a Lot and say hi to Bekah. She has loads more great FREE printables!!!!!

Linking to some of these great parties

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Spice Rack Ideas

2012-05-01T11:02:00.002+01:00

My herb and spice rack is a mess and so boring!!
it's just standing on the kitchen side, blocking my view out the window!

The only wall space I have in my kitchen is either near my door that leads to the living room, but I normally have my calender there, or above the cooker. But I don't think that's such a good idea as it will properly get greasy from all the cooking and knowing me, I'll end up knocking one of the jars off the rack into my big pan of pasta sauce getting tomatoes absolutely everywhere!! And did I ever tell you how hard it was to get tomato pasta sauce out of my lovely white top?
I've decided that I need a new spice rack, So I've been doing what I love doing the most, can you guess? Yes, searching through blogland!! My favourite pastime
And here's what I've found

source

Love this idea! Could also maybe stick them to the fridge

source

in a drawer out of sight, so not cluttering everywhere up

source

How great it is this?

source

Like this idea. Could fasten my spice rack on the back of my cupboard door. will have to check that the door will still shut though

source
Fastening under a shelf. like this one

source

Like the tube design of these

I think i will try to see if my spice rack will fit on the door of my cupboard if not I think I'm going to try and find some of them metal containers to stick on the side of my fridge

Linking to some of these great parties

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Flageolet Bean Pie

2012-04-30T07:24:00.000+01:00

421 cals 17g fat 8g sat. fat
Serves 4 ready in 20 minutes

Ingredients :

1 onion
3 x 400g cans of flageolet beans
50g cheddar, grated
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
5 tbsp crème fraiche
100g bread crumbs
dried thyme

Heat some oil in a large pan and gently fry the onion for 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.

Add the beans, crème fraiche and some thyme. Heat through

Mix the breadcrumbs and cheese together in a bowl and add some more thyme. Pour the bean mix into a baking dish and scatter with the breadcrumbs. Then place under the grill on high until crisp and golden

Linking to some of these great parties

Check these great sites out

Serenity Saturday : 37

2012-04-28T12:04:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Serenity Saturday.

I almost forgot to post this weeks link party, so I haven't had time to go through all the links and choose which to feature. so next week there will be double features!, from this week and next

And on with the party!!!!

Linking to some of these great parties

Check these great sites out

Foto Friday : Angle

2012-04-27T17:08:00.002+01:00

The theme at Foto Friday this week is Angle

This is the original shot for edit me challenge

and this is my edit

here's the original for flip flop photo challenge

and here's my edit

Don't forget to check out my Photo Challenge too!!!

Linking to some of these great parties

Check these great sites out

One of these photos was featured on:

Ashley from Rustic Living {Guest Post}

2012-04-26T10:00:00.000+01:00

Hello Serenity You readers! My name is Ashley from Rustic Living. I'm so happy to share with you a little passion of mine. I was blessed to have been raised on a farm in southern Idaho . It was there that I developed an appreciation for all things "rustic", specifically furniture and home decor that has an antique or distressed look to it. On my blog I share my love for the country lifestyle, furniture transformations, and DIY projects. I'm still a newbie at all of this, so sometimes things turn out great and others....well, you know. Luckily, today I'm sharing with you my most favorite projects.

Blue Shabby Chic Dresser & Rustic Frame
I just can't get enough of the blue/gray paint color on this dresser! I kept the old plates from the original knobs and added new shabby chic knobs that I knew would compliment the color. The rustic frame hanging above is from the top half of an old door I picked up at a consignment store. The bottom half I turned into a coffee table, you can see that here.

Customizable Rustic Chic Wedding Pillows
I had always wanted to learn how to make pillows. I love how much character they can add to a bedroom, living room, or even an entryway bench. I began to think how fun it would be to create customizable pillows for others celebrating a very special day, their wedding day. I opened up an Etsy shop and have really enjoyed creating pillows with a personal touch for the happy couple to be. I also sell decorative pillows, usually with a touch of burlap, that will add a rustic chic feel to any room.

Scripture Chair
This project was a lot of fun to do! I call it the Scripture Chair because I placed Proverbs 3:5 on the seat cushion. It was great way to add some charm and it works well with the beautiful turquoise color.

Wine Rack turned Towel Holder
This has become one of my most popular projects. I found this wine rack at a thrift store for just six dollars! I knew I could use it for something, so I brought it home and waited for the "light bulb" moment. It eventually made its way onto a wall in my bathroom to hold towels. The husband and I both love this towel holder for its functionality and cuteness!

I had so much fun sharing. Thanks to Natasha for giving me the opportunity to drop by today! Feel free to check out my Etsy shop or take a gander on over to my blog, Rustic Living, and see what project I'm currently working on. Have a great day!

*******
Thank you so much Ashley for sharing your beautiful projects
Linking to some of these great parties

Check these great sites out

52 Weeks of You: At home with Mrs H

2012-04-25T10:30:00.000+01:00

Hello! and welcome to '52 weeks of you'
Where every week I'll feature one of YOUR great blogs!
So if you'd like to be seen here email me at serenityyou@hotmail.co.uk
And tell me a little about yourself and your blog
Please note : Get your name down now as there is a 4 month waiting list

This Week I'm Featuring : At Home with Mrs H

I live here in Wales with my charming Dusband (husband named Dus) where we are the church youth workers and I'm the church secretary. Dusband runs his own coding company from our spare room and I squish into the corner with my trusty old toyota and a closet full of fabric. Ok, let's get back to the truth, I sew in the spare room and Dusband is squished into the corner with his coding. This year is an exciting year for me as I look to release my first bag pattern and run bag making classes.

I'm not in blogging for sponsorship or to reach high numbers of followers, I just like to talk. My blog is my outlet and I like to post about my organising and recipes and general insights into our life.

I run my etsy shop on the side but I'm looking to clear the stock ready for my bags and patterns coming later this year. Here's the link for my shop
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HandmadebyMrsH.

Samantha xxx

My 5 fav post are :

Patchwork Bible Cover

so sweet!

The Bow Pleat

Gorgeous!

Utility Apron

I so need one of these!

Never Fail Yorkshire Puddings

will have to try this as mine always end up a big flat gloopy mess!

How To Encourage Repeat Custom

The BEST post I've read this year!! made me laugh so much! left my smiling all day!

Thanks so much for sharing Samantha, and sorry about that last photo! I just had to include it!

Samantha is also offering all Serenity You readers 20% off everything in her Etsy shop.
Just Quote code SERENITY20
SERENITY20

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My Find of the Week : 100 Healthy Snack Ideas

2012-04-24T07:59:00.000+01:00

My find of the week this week is 100 healthy snack ideas from Six Sister's Stuff

My favourite snacks on the list are Carrots with hummus and Cashew Nuts!!

Go check it out and tell me what are yours favs?

Linking to some of these great parties

Check these great sites out