Sherbet Blossom

Ciao! Adios! Aloha! Au Revoir!

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:03:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

I hate goodbyes. I really do. But, the time has come for me to stop blogging so I can focus on my family. I’m signing off of Sherbet Blossom.

I started my first personal blog when I was pregnant with my daughter, 7 years ago. It was an odd place whose posts have long since been deleted. Sherbet Blossom began a couple years later and I’ve been infatuated ever since. I love blogging, the people I’ve met and the opportunities I’ve been given. I’m amazed that thousands of you subscribe to read about my simple life. I’ve been touched by your caring friendships, thoughtful notes, and uplifting comments. I’m going to miss you.

There are so many wonderful things about blogging, but I’m leaving because of the negatives. I don’t want to offend anyone when I explain my reasonings. This was a very personal decision, and while I know it is right for me that doesn’t necessarily mean it is right for all.

I am continually in awe of what this blog has become; I never thought anyone but my mom and sister would read! The success and opportunities I have been given are because of YOU. I have met some forever friends through this blog. I will miss you dearly, and wish you every success and happiness.

With love,
Hannah

My greatest concern over the end of this blog was that I would lose contact with you. Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Need to contact me? Send me an email.

Our Ginnie J Photography Session.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Let me preface the marathon of pictures by saying that I'm extremely camera shy. We rarely take family photos because I prefer to be hiding behind the lens. Ginnie, my long-time blogging friend and new go-to family photographer, made me feel completely at ease. In fact, I didn't know she was shooting most of these pictures. You can see that we do a lot of laughing in my family. I am so glad she captured that.

Ginnie is a genius behing the lens. I adore her style. I love that we have a group of posed and unposed shots to print. She captured each of our personalities so perfectly. Ginnie makes the kiddos feel at ease. They were completely charmed by her sweet an calm nature. And somehow, she took pictures of me that I actually like. That is a first! My ever-photogenic husband looks as handsome as ever and the kiddos are darling. I can't wait to hang these images on the wall.

Ginnie is our new go-to girl. Already planning on scheduling her for next year. If you are in Utah, you must check her out. You will not be disappointed.

A HUGE thanks goes out to Ginnie! You are the best. (P.S. Ginnie has a hilarious blog. It rocks.)

Without further ado: the picture marathon. I just couldn't pick a favorite.

Camping with Kids.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:41:00 +0000

Because I am so very girly, a lot of people are surprised when I tell them that I love camping. I do! I love everything about it! The smells. The sounds. Sleeping in sleeping bags. The stars. The campfire food. I'm a big fan. I grew up camping and really want to continue the tradition with my own family.

This was the first year that we've tried. Our trip to Southern Utah was such fun...except for the whole camping in a tent part. We went into it knowing our kids wouldn't sleep a lot, and we were okay with that. But, we didn't expect the baby to be up ALL NIGHT LONG. And he was. Luckily, I am married to the sweetest man on earth. He took Baby D into the car around 11:00pm and drove him to sleep all night. Poor boys! (The older kids and I slept like babies after they left. I felt a tad guilty about it once I heard about Jason's horrible night with the babe.)

We did some things right, and we did some things wrong. I hope some of these tips help you:

• Have a backyard campout before you go. We wish we would have done a trial run! We would have reserved a hotel room instead!

• If you are camping with really little kids, I highly recommend camping somewhere with running water and indoor pluming. We were so grateful we did. Sleeping outside is "roughing it" enough for munchkins. (Especially if one of them is sporting diapers.)

• Make sure you pick a location with kid-friendly activities and hikes. Arches & Goblin Valley were perfect for my 1-6 year olds.

• Buy a cheap flashlight for each child. Not only are they fun, but having a light at hand helps with nighttime scares.

• Make a checklist before you head out! You don't want to forget anything...especially the sunscreen and bugspray.

• Bring plenty of treats. I don't know why, but my kids ate about 3x's the amount of food that they do at home. I brought homemade granola bars, trail mix, Craisins, fruit leather, string cheese, Goldfish crackers, cold cereal, carrot & celery sticks and fruit.

• Pack warm jammies for your little ones. I am always shocked at how cold it gets at night...even after a super hot day in the sun.

• For your first trip, don't go too far from home. We were so exhausted that we went home a day early. We were so grateful that we were only 3 hours away from our cozy beds at home.

• We didn't buy special kid-sized bags for our kids. Having a sleeping bag that is too huge can keep you from staying warm at night, so we folded their sleeping bags in half. This gave them extra padding to sleep on and kept them nice and warm.

• Let your kiddos help! Our kids helped with putting up the tent, building the fire, and cooking the meals. They loved every minute!

• Make rubbings. We collected lots of interesting leaves and plants from around the campground and, using a crayon, made rubbings. Very fun!

• Don't unpack the car. We left everything but the sleeping gear in the car. It became our changing station, food center and home base. It helped things stay nice and organized.

• Let them get dirty! By the time we got home, every inch of our kids' bodies were covered in dirt. I didn't let it get to me, and they loved having total freedom to be kids.

Hope you all have fun on your camping adventures this year. We plan on trying again...in a year.

Weekend Rendezvous Wrapup.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Since I was young, Southern Utah has been my favorite cold-weather escape. (My parents, cousins & grandparents had condos in Saint George and we frequented all the surrounding areas.) Am still trying to convince my husband that these vast deserts are appealing in the heat. For now, I can only talk him into spring and fall road trips.

Moab is a hop, skip and a jump away from my home, so we took advantage of a rare uneventful weekend to make some family memories. And, oh boy. Did we ever! The tent-sleeping with a baby will be an adventure we will not soon forget. More on that later.

We were all infatuated with this gorgeous scenery. Moab is usually anything but green, but we were pleasantly surprised with the flora last weekend. Utah has been bombarded with rainstorms and they really greened up the scenery. I loved the contrast in colors with the red rocks and blue, blue sky. My kids loved the lizards around every corner and crows on barren trees. My stomach churned with every beautiful, steep cliff at Dead Horse Point.

We felt like we were all alone in the park. Except for the tour bus full of photographers, of course. I always feel silly pulling out my camera in front of a bunch of professionals, so as soon as they piled out of their bus, my photo-snapping stopped for a while. (I think I heard my husband sigh with relief when he saw me pack my trusty Canon away. He's all about exploring without stopping for pictures.)

Best baby purchase we've ever made? (Besides our Phil and Ted's stroller, of course.) Our Kelty baby backpack! It's lasted us three children and has been on more hikes than I can count. Super comfortable. The kiddos love sleeping in it. Doubles as a great sitting-by-the-campfire high chair.

Adored the blooming cacti. I wish I could go back to see the blooms open.

Arches National Park was a dream. Perfect, kid-friendly hikes. Sand-play galore. Jason and I were a bit sleepy from the previous night's comedy-of-sleeping-errors, but the kids were champs.

The favorite hike in Arches? Landscape Arch. It was great for our little-legged sidekicks.

On the way home, we make a quick stop into Goblin Valley. If you haven't been there, you must! It was the favorite stop of the whole trip. Like a giant jungle gym. The kids climbed and climed. Played in the sand. Explored every crevice. Protested when we told them it was time to leave. We are planning another trip there soon.

All in all, the trip was wonderful. Getting away from work & school for a weekend is always refreshing. I love camping and being in the out-of-doors. Disconnected from technology and completely connected to family. Bonding and talking. Giggling and hiking. Family rendezvous are my favorite.

:: Coming up this week: Tips on Camping with Kids! (A request from a design client.) I'll do my best. Ours was not-so-successful, so hopefully you all can learn a thing or two from our mistakes.

Blog Hopping :: Quick & Easy Family Recipes.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 20 May 2011 06:00:00 +0000

This is my go-to dinner when I have no time. There is nothing to it, but no one would ever know! It is a crowd pleaser that everyone will be thrilled to eat. And it only takes about 15 minutes of work time! (If that...)

BBQ PORK & COLESLAW SANDWICHES
2.5 lbs Boneless Pork Loin Roast
1 bottle BBQ Sauce (I like Sweet Baby Ray Honey BBQ Sauce)
Coleslaw Mix
Coleslaw Dressing
Hamburger Buns

• Place the pork into a slow cooker with 1 cup of water. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or until is falls apart with a fork.
• Take pork out of slow cooker and shred it with a fork, trimming any extra fat.
• Put pork back into slow-cooker and add BBQ sauce. (The amount is really a matter of taste. We like ours extra goopy, so I add the entire bottle.) Let it warm up on low for another 30 minutes.
• In another bowl, toss together coleslaw mix and dressing. (Again, to desired goopiness.) Place 1/2 cup pork in bun and top with about 1/2 cup of coleslaw.
• Serve & Enjoy!

Makes about 8 sandwiches.

Trials.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 18 May 2011 16:58:00 +0000

Picture from our getaway last weekend. More on that soon! // Quote from this talk.

It's been on my mind for weeks. Every article I read and talk I hear seem to take my thoughts in a new direction; giving me new insights. I've prayed about and pondered the subject until I started to feel more at peace with my conclusions.

Two weeks ago, we turned on the tv to see Mitch Albom (the author of Tuesdays with Morrie) give the commencement address at the University of Utah. (Which, by the way, was wonderfully inspiring!) At the conclusion of the address, the administrators did as they always do, and awarded the graduates their degrees. As I watched the masters and doctorate students walk across the stage to accept their diplomas, I burst into tears.

I'm not sure that I've ever fully disclosed our education situation before. Jason and I met during my first year of college. We were so young. We had so many dreams that we were certain would come true. I graduated with my bachelor's degree after only 3 short years of college. I flew through my major by taking 20+ credits a semester. I imagined that we would be done with school and settling in a home of our own in no time.

But, that didn't happen. Jason's education has been a challenge. He is a wonderful student. An "A" student, to be exact. I'm so proud of him. But, we've been through a series of unfortunate events. Schools losing applications, majors proving to be unfruitful, Heavenly Father telling us we chose the wrong path. We've had door close after door close. It's been almost 10 years of changing plans. And my husband is still trudging on. (More than trudging. Soaring. He is amazing.) He's working on his third degree and will be starting his forth soon. It's been a long, hard road. The end seems so far away. And I'm tired.

I'm not writing this to complain. We've been blessed in so many other ways. I just wanted to point out that we all have trials. No one can compare their loss to another's. Because of our different personalities, the difficulty of a trials depends on the person. I believe that God will stretch us all to our limits. To humble us. To help us grow. For some, it will be fertility, for others, death. Others will deal with financial problems, misunderstandings with relatives, caring for a sick loved one, a mental illness or divorce. But for all, our individual trials will cause heartbreak. We cannot compare, nor can we judge. We never know what another person is dealing with.

I believe that our true character is shown as we handle these trials. If we choose to be offended, and by how quickly we are to forgive and forget. But especially by what we do and to Whom we turn to in our hour of need.

I know that God cares that my heart is broken with every shut door. I know He is mindful of our struggles. I also know that he is directing my little family's path. He is helping me develop virtues that I wouldn't have otherwise. Patience. Humility. Compassion. I know that God loves me and you.

// I love this talk. I've listened and read it multiple times over the past couple weeks. Highly recommended.

My Makeup Bag / Hannah.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Tue, 17 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Inside my makeup bag! I couldn't bare to miss out on the fun. Although I own my fair share of makeup and beauty products, I generally keep things simple and stick to the same routine. I believe in enhancing your natural beauty by using products that aren't overbearing. On the average, non-date-night day, I like makeup to look effortless and that takes less than 5 minutes to apply.

Origins VitaZing: I wear this moisturizer instead of foundation. It comes out of the tube white, but somehow evens out your skin tone. An amazing, miracle product.
MAC Select Moisturecover: I don't need a lot of concealage, but I like to wear this light, pink-toned concealer to cover the blue-tones under my eyes. (With MAC, use NW shades to cover blue areas like under eye circles. Use NC shades to cover red areas, like blemishes and redness around the nose.)
NARS Laguna Bronzer: The perfect bronzer for my skin tone! It is a little pricey, but I've had this for over a year and have hardly made a dent in it.

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara: Best Mascara I've EVER used. I love finding it on sale! (I bought this for only $6.50 at Ulta by combining a sale with a coupon.) It is like false lashes in a tube.
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil: For an everyday eye, I use this black liner on my top lashes only. Smooth and creamy!
MAC Paintpot in Painterly: Love this to even out the skintone of my eyes. It is a wonderful base for shadows.
MAC Eye Shadow Quad: This is the cheaper way to go if you want to own a few mac shadows! Make your own quad! My quad has: Shroom (my favorite highlight), Soft Brown (a great all-over lid color, crease color or transition color), Twinks (fabulous crease color or eyeliner), and Woodwinked (my obvious favorite. This beautiful copper-brown looks great all on its own or is great paired with these other colors.)

Benefit Benetint: Probably my favorite makeup product. EVER. This has a dual purpose. I use it to tint my cheeks, but I also use it to pink-up my lips. It looks completely natural. Gives a rosey glow to your cheeks and makes for perfect puckers that stay a natural pink for HOURS.
Pangea Organics Lip Balm: The Benetint is a tad drying on the lips, but I don't mind. I'm addicted to lip balm, and this can be placed on top of the Benetint lipstain without fading the pretty pink. This lip balm is the most moisturizing I've ever used

Thanks for reading this fun, mini-series. (And thanks to all the lovely, guest posters who participated!) I'd love to know what YOUR favorite, everyday makeup products are! Please let us know in the comments below.

Twelve Things: May.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:00:00 +0000

one. Morning nap time = my work time.

two. Am passionate about gardening. I spotted a baby broccoli today!

three. Picked up the June issue of CARDS from the office. My first issue as "Editor!" So exciting to see my name in print.

four. Sparkley, summer toes for our upcoming getaway. (DVD & Rockstar Pink)

five. Speaking of sparkles: major glitter crafting today. Love Martha Stewart brand.

six. Couscous for dinner. Trader Joe's brand. It's the best.

seven. Babysat the neighbors today while their mommy worked.

eight. Oranges: the only thing I'll miss about winter. (These are "Pink Oranges." They are my favorite.)

nine. My little artist (and friend.) This little girl is constantly drawing.

ten. Trying my hand at embroidery and LOVING it. The final product will be featured next week on the Create: blog.

eleven. Picnicking in the sunshine with my boys.

twelve. Reading on the lawn. Best thing about a Kindle? You can read while under direct sunlight.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! We're hoping to catch some rays this weekend. Will be back on Monday to fill you in on our adventure.

The Semester Break.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:01:00 +0000

My husband finished his semester with off with a bang. I took advantage of his 8-day break and milked every bit of energy out of my main-man. We kept busy-busy-busy last week doing chore after chore. I bet Jas was glad to start his new semester today!

Last week we...

...went to the zoo.
...did a little shopping for our upcoming camping adventure.

...adjusted the spinklers.
...planted the vegetable garden.
...dug out another vegetable garden for squash.
...purchased a cute, cute grill as a combined mother's day/father's day present.
...celebrated the warm weather by setting up the trampoline.
...jumped on the trampoline and showed off all my old tricks. (Of which there are very few.)

...did the laundry.
...cleaned out the closets and compiled a gigantic good-will/garage sale pile.
...painted both kid rooms a happy, happy YELLOW. (I have great plans for showing off the rooms when they are done being decorated. But that may take a while. One step at a time...)
...did a date night with my husband every-single night of his short break. Yes, we took advantage of every rare minute we had together.

Things are starting to feel put together, although we could have used another 3 weeks of hard work in this home.

// Tune in tomorrow! A week long series begins. A play off the popular "What's in Your Bag" tag. Six gorgeous guest posters will be sharing with you what is in their everyday makeup bag.

/// We are heading south this weekend. Chasing the sunshine and getting our camp on. Our first camping experience with the kiddos. Should be fun!

Crab Mango Salad in Wonton Cups.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 04 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

This is a beloved recipe in our home. Crab happens to be on my "Top Five Foods" list. This recipe contains many of my favorite flavors: lime, cilantro, mangos. It truly is a treat that pleases a croud and carries a bit of a "wow" factor. This simple appetizer looks fancy and beautiful. (I love easy recipes that food people into thinking you slaved away!) It is my go-to recipe for a dinner with friends. Sometimes I skip the wonton cups and add pasta for a seafood pasta salad that is sure to please the mature taste buds. Enjoy!

CRAB MANGO SALAD IN CRISP WONTON CUPS
Recipe via Ellie Krieger

For the Wonton Cups:
Cooking spray
18 wonton wrappers, thawed (if frozen)
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the dressing:
1 teaspoon lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the salad:
1/2 pound lump crabmeat, picked over
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1/2 cup finely diced mango
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 2 mini-muffin tins with cooking spray.
Brush the wonton wrappers with oil, and place each wrapper into a section of a mini-muffin tin. Gently press each wrapper into the tin and arrange so that it forms a cup shape. The wrapper will overlap itself and stick up out of the cup. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until browned and crisp. Remove from the tin and allow wrappers to cool.
Meanwhile whisk together the zest, lime juice, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Add the oil and whisk until well combined.

In a medium bowl, toss together the crabmeat, celery, mango, scallion and cilantro. Add dressing and toss to combine. Fill each cup with the crab salad and serve.

BIG Announcement.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Sun, 01 May 2011 15:39:00 +0000

I've been teasing and hinting about my big news for a while now. And today, I can finally announce it! I could hardly believe it when I was called and asked to fill this position, and I am thrilled to take this new step in my career.

I am the new Editor of.....

My new position was announced in the May issue, but my official first magazine as Editor is the June issue.

Yay! I have been the graphic designer of CARDS magazine for almost 5 years. I love the publication! I will still be designing, of course, but now I will also be in charge of the editorial side of CARDS. Being the Editor has been such a creative stretch already. I write and craft and edit. It is way too fun. I've found myself telling Jason multiple times, "I can't believe I'm being paid to do this!" It doesn't seem like work, and I guess that is when you know you are in the right career! I feel so lucky!

Check out the magazine when you get a chance. It is a beautiful publication full of fabulous ideas. I hope to see some of you submitting!

PS // You can catch me blogging a couple times a week about CARDS over on the CREATE: blog. It is a fun blog full of crafting galore. Fabric, needlework, papercrafting and more! Check it out.

A Fond Farewell to Wplus9.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 19:34:00 +0000

Today is a very sad day for me. I'm saying "goodbye" to Wplus9's design team. I have loved the opportunity to play with Dawn's gorgeous, high-quality stamps every month. Dawn is one of the sweetest, most thoughtful people I have ever known. I'm so happy to have her as a friend.

I highly encourage you to subscribe to Dawn's blog. She is full of good ideas and her card designs are fab. Also, if you haven't purchased her stamps yet, you should! Great prices and better-than-most quality. The designs are adorable; they almost do the work for you.

I've known about this day for a couple months now, and was teary each time I posted a Wplus9 card, knowing my run was coming to an end. This is all happening because of another opportunity that was offered to me. I'll be posting that exciting announcement tomorrow!

For now, here are my last two cards as an official design team member. Enjoy!!

FRIEND supplies:
Stamps: Wplus9 (A Special Lady)
Ink: Memento, Copic Markers
Cardstock: Neenah, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon
Ribbon: Offray, Button: Papertrey Ink

HAPPY BIRTHDAY supplies:
Stamps: Wplus9 (Hooked On You)
Ink: Memento, Copic Markers
Cardstock, Patterned Paper: Papertrey Ink
Twine: The Twinery

Sugar Fasting.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 19:40:00 +0000

My last treat before starting this sugar fast. A Skookie. It was delish!

I've received a lot of questions about my sugar fast. I've been asked why I'm doing it, how I'm doing it, how I handle cravings, do I eat natural sugars, have I lost weight and how strict I am. Since I started another sugar fast last Monday, I thought I'd give your inquiring minds some info on my fast.

WHY?
This is quite simple to answer. Babies. I had them. And they ruined my body. Well...I shouldn't say they did. I did. I am VERY sick when I am pregnant. I throw up every day until 34-36 weeks. And then I feel nauseated until the baby is born. I'm normally very health conscious, but the only thing I can keep down when I am pregnant is carbs. I eat bread like nobody's business. And, I gain 35-45 pounds because of it. I wanted to get my healthy body back. I was sick of not fitting into my favorite clothes. Also, I found out recently that I am allergic to gluten. So, I thought a sugar-fast might help curb my carb addiction. I was right! It has helped a ton with my cravings.

HOW?
I stay away from all sugars except fruits. I check labels. I try not to eat anything with more than 2g sugar during my fast. As soon as the fast it over, I will slowly add these higher-sugar items back into my diet with caution. My first two fasts were 3 months each. I'm only doing 2 months for this current fast.

CRAVINGS?
Oh, man. I still have them. I still want the cookies that my husband munches on after dinner. I still want the creamy, sweet salad dressing. But, the longer I go without sugar, the easier it becomes. The first week is always the hardest.

NATURAL SUGARS?
Yes, I eat fruits.

WEIGHT LOSS?
Yes! Horray, horrah! I still have a bit more I'd like to loose, but I'm hoping to be close to my pre-kid weight by the end of this fast.

STRICT?
Yes, I am strict. If I cheat, I start craving sugar again. So, I try my hardest to be strict with it.

If you have any other questions, you can contact me or leave it in the comments below. I'm willing to answer any or all questions.

Heart and Stone Jewelry Review.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0000

This ring and I have not parted ways since our meeting. I fell completely in love with this stunning, simple ring from the moment I opened the box. (Love the box, by the way.) Julie Booras, the owner and jewelry designer behind Heart and Stone Jewelry, really has something special in this shop of hers. I was thrilled when she sent me this treasure to review!

Julie left her career as a video editor and software designer to pursue her true passions: motherhood and jewelry design! I love that! Her shop is full of stunning, handcrafted jewelry. My favorite item is the Stacking Rivet Ring. I love how the single one looks on my hand, but I'd love to stack it with a couple more. (This would make an incredibly cute gift for Mother's Day!) The ring is super high quality and fits perfectly on my finger. I've received so many compliments on the ring. (How cute is the heart between our initials??) It is one of those understated jewelry pieces that you never take off.

I also adore the Custom Charm Necklaces. I'd love to have one with my children's names and birthstones. So beautiful.

I hope you all take a moment to check out Julie's cute shop. I'm sure you'll find something to add to your wish list!

*I love to support handmade/small business owners! Contact me if you have a product you'd like to see featured on Sherbet Blossom.

Easter Recap.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:07:00 +0000

We had a wonderfully low-key Easter this year. The Easter bunny came and left each child with a one mini-present and a dozen candy-filled eggs to find. This year, we decided that Easter wasn't going to be about the basket. (We asked the Easter bunny to stop by on Saturday next year instead of Sunday morning. I think that will make Easter Sunday even better.) We spent a lot of time on Sunday talking about the true meaning of the holiday, cuddling our sweet children, skyping with family members from Hawaii to Washington D.C., and eating delicious food.

Hope your Easter Sunday was marvelous.

/// Am guest posting over on my sweet friend Meg's blog today. Sharing a short memory about one of my favorite days.

Easter Rice Krispie Treats.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:38:00 +0000

I was commissioned to bring the Rice Krispie treats for daughter's kindergarten Easter party. And, you know me...I couldn't just make them the traditional way. (Not sure why I tend to go overboard with everything. Simplicity is not my forte.) I think they turned out cute, but check out son's face below! He's not so sure that the blue Rice Krispie treats are edible. But, I assure you, they are. And the 5 to 6-year-olds they are intended for will love them.

Here's how you make 'em:

EASTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS
3 tbsp butter
10 oz. pkg mini marshmallows (fresh marshmallows work best)
6 c. Rice Krispies
Food Coloring
Easter candy and/or sprinkles

In large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Add 4-6 drops food coloring and mix. Remove from heat.
Add cereal. Stir until well coated. Mix in desired amount of pastel-colored sprinkles or Easter-themed candy.
Press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool.

Guest Designing with The Play Date Cafe.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:59:00 +0000

So thrilled to be guest designing with The Play Date Café today! The colors they chose are simply lovely. I adore anything with red and blue/turquoise. And the pink thrown in just makes it extra fun.

Supplies for YOU AND ME.
Stamps: Hero Arts (Special Moments), Hampton Art
Die: Wplus9
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black), Distress Ink (Antique Linen)
Markers: Copic (RV10, RV13, RV14; R24, R29, R59; B41, B45, YG17)
Cardstock, Patterned Paper, Buttons, Twine: Papertrey Ink

Please be sure to check out the prize and all contest details at The Play Date Café. Would love to see you play along!

This week's sponsor is Market Street Stamps. Very cute stuff! (I love finding new-to-me stamping companies.) Especially love the Perfectly Pretty Grid!

15 Handy Household Tips.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:16:00 +0000

I'm dedicating this week to spring cleaning. It must be done. The temperature outside is perfect. The windows are open. I'm in the cleaning mood. Excited to wipe away the winter dust and start anew.

Here are 15 handy household tips from me to you. I learned some from my mother. Some from experience. Hope they are helpful to you.

one :: Vinegar is an alternative to an all-purpose cleaner, and is nontoxic and cheap. Run your empty dishwasher for a full cycle with a couple cups of vinegar to prevent those unappetizing water spots on your dishes.

two :: Store all your silver jewelry in an airtight baggie. It will prevent tarnishing.

three :: Admit it. Some of your shoes stink. Place a dryer sheet in your shoes at night and the smell will be gone by morning. It’s like magic.

four :: Save money by making your own window cleaner. Add 3 Tbsp Ammonia and 1 Tbsp vinegar to a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and use just like Windex. Use old newspaper to wipe off the cleaner for a streak free finish.

five :: Lots of sticky/dirty fingers living in your house? Spray your walls and doors with starch to resist fingerprints.

six :: Use a post-it note between the keys on your keyboard to clean up the crumbs and dust that have collected.

seven :: Color code the top of your key collection with thick coats of of nail polish in different shades to differentiate between them.

eight :: Limp celery? Cut off the bottoms and place the stalks in a vase with cold water. Place it in the fridge and they will be nice and crisp tomorrow.

nine :: Keep insects out of your flour and sugar by placing a bay leaf in the sack.

ten :: Keep an open box of baking soda in your fridge at all times to ward off stinky smells.

eleven :: Check your fridge’s temperature. Refrigerators should be kept between 35-38°F, freezers at 0°F. Also, freezers work best when they are three-quarters full. If you have an almost-empty freezer, fill empty milk cartons with water and store them in the freezer.

twelve :: Keep your butter from sliding around the dish by heating the dish, placing the stick of butter on the hot dish to melt it a little and then putting it back into the fridge. This will cause the butter to stick to the butter dish.

thirteen :: Use a paint brush to dust the corners of your baseboard, windowsills and bookshelves. (My kids fight over this job. I should buy another paintbrush…)

fourteen :: Forgot about your wet clothes in the washer? Get rid of that mildew-smell by rewashing them with baking soda.

fifteen :: Get that yucky onion smell off your hands by washing them with dry mustard.

*I have high-hopes for doing some major posting this week. Product reviews, book reports, Easter plans, and maybe a Disneyland wrap-up. Stay tuned.

**image via.

Wplus9 April Color Cue.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:53:00 +0000

Have you ever done this? You are almost done making your card. You like it and all you need to do is stamp the sentiment. You can't wait to see the completed card. And then.........you stamp the sentiment crooked. RUINING your card. Gah! Please pretend that the "birthday" isn't slanted. Sigh. (This will definitely be a birthday card for my mom who thinks everything that I make is beautiful.)

Luckily, Dawn's lovely designed stamps take the attention away from my mistake. I pulled my favorite Wplus9 stamp out for this card: Ever After. If you don't own it yet, you should really get your hands on it!

Other supplies used on this project:
Stamps: Wplus9 (Ever After, Spring Post)
Paper, Cardstock, Twine: Papertrey Ink
Border Punch: Stampin' Up!
Ink: ColorBox (Dark Brown & Lipstick Red); Distress Ink (Antique Linen)

Check out the other design team members:
Dawn Woleslagle
Elise Durenberger
Jinny Newlin
Kerrianne Gwin
Lea Lawson
Savitri Wilder
Paulina Nakamura (April Guest Designer)

What Matters Most.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:47:00 +0000

Christina and I took our kids to a local farm last week. It was a beautiful day spent on horse-back rides, feeding ducks, and checking out the darling baby bunnies. Baby D insisted that all large animals were "cows" and used all his energy trying to wriggle out of my arms to touch the giant Clydesdale horses, "moo"-ing all the way. My son and his best friend proved themselves to be expert escape artists. We found ourselves searching for one or both of the little explorers every 10 minutes. The older girls are at the perfect "friend" age. They held hands and whispered secrets. A constant giggle streamed from their direction. It was a relaxing, peaceful afternoon. Out in the sun. Away from all the little distractions and projects that seem to loom over me when I'm within 20 feet of my home office.

Christina and I can talk for hours upon hours. That's one reason why I love her so much! Everyone needs a friend like that. We usually make our way through the topics of family, church and our kids every time we are together. The best thing about talking to Christina? I am always inspired to be a little better.

Amidst to torrents of topics discussed, I mentioned what a lame blogger I've been since coming home from our Disneyland getaway. I haven't been motivated. Christina, with her signature wisdom, told me that a little space isn't a bad thing. That we sometimes need to give up doing good things for doing those things that are better. She also reminded me of a talk given by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf called "Of Things That Matter Most."

I've listened to and read the talk a few times since then; it is wonderful. He begins by talking about trees and how they grow. During ideal seasons, trees can grow quickly and normally. But, when the conditions are tough, the tree will stop it's rapid growth and use all its energy to focus on the basics of survival. Elder Uchtdorf compares this to life. When we are struggling though a rather rough patch, we need to give up some of those extra, unnecessary things. We need to focus on what matters most.

My favorite quote from the talk spoke directly to my to-do-list-making heart. "It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks."

I am trying to take his advise to heart. Doing what I must do, giving up some of the unnecessary. I'm learning to post when I have time: when my kiddos don't need me and my home is in order. I'm learning to prioritize and to make more doable to-do lists. I'm learning to be satisfied with what I can accomplish and not focus on what I can't. It has been wonderful for my little family. We feel closer. There is a greater peace in our home and in my life.

Simplifying is not in my nature. I think I'll always struggle with cutting back. But, in the end, I don't want regrets. I want to look back on my life knowing I put the most important things first. In the end, my blog, career, and possessions won't matter. But my relationships and faith will.

Restoring Gel Eye Liners.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:59:00 +0000

I adore my MAC gel eyeliner. I've spoken about it several times before on this blog. It is a tad on the pricey side, I know. But it is worth it. (This is coming from a bargain hunter, so you can trust me!)

I've had my black gel liner for a little over a year and it was starting to dry out. (One of the negatives of gel liner: they do dry out.) I was upset that I was about to throw half of the expensive product in the trash when a makeup-artist friend told me how to revive it. It worked and the liner is back to like-new condition! Here's how you do it:

one. Gather the tools and products. First, you will need your dried out gel liner. Second, moisturizing eye drops. Third, a brush.

two. Add 2-3 eye drops to your gel liner. (Depending on how much product is still in the pot.)

three. Stir with the wrong-end of your brush. Replace the lid and let sit over night. Your liner will be like new in the morning! (If your product has too much eye solution, you will be able to tell. The extra solution will pool at the top and you should be able to dump it or pat it out with a tissue or makeup brush.)

Book Report: Organize Now!

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:53:00 +0000

I'm always on a mission to organize my home. (See my Project: Organize series if you are looking for some good ideas.) With three kids, having an organized home can seem an impossible task. So many little things lying around and three little tornadoes on a mission to undo everything I've accomplished.

Enter "Organize Now!"
This book has become my holy grail organization companion. It is separated into sections. (e.g. "Organize Yourself," "Organize Your Papers," "Organize you Storage Areas," etc.) And each of those sections are separated into weeks. Within a year, the author takes you through your space, little by little, until your life is simplified and organized.

I'm currently on week 5: "Organizing Your Personal Information." The author is having me organize my health, financial, and safety information into one folder. I've been gathering up the stray papers from around my home all week. (Blood types, insurance information, license plate numbers, etc.) She also asks us to purchase a fireproof box and to place documents like birth certificates, wills and passports inside.

I highly recommend this book. It actually makes organization fun! I'm excited to open the new weekly chapter each Monday to see what the week has in store. The tasks are doable and fairly quick.

I'm excited to see where I will be at the end of the year. I know I'll be equipped with new organization ideas and a much cleaner home.

Book Report: I Love Dirt! & Let's Go Outside!

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:13:00 +0000

I think I should stop promising posts. It seems whenever I do, something pops up to prevent me from doing so. Last week, I came down with my family's ailments the day after promising the posts. But, I am here today, a week later, to tell you about some super fun books on my shelf.

As a work-at-home mother, keeping kids entertained is a struggle. Trying to juggle being a good employee with being a good mother definitely has it's challenges. After utilizing all my creative energy designing on the computer, I find myself all out of creative ideas for the kids. That is where these two books by Jennifer Ward come in handy. She has done all the creative leg work for me.

When these books arrived in the mail, my daughter and I flagged all our "must-do" activities. And, I have to say, that almost every page is marked.

"Let's Go Outside" is all about activies you and your children can do outdoors. The book is seperated into four parts: Back to Basics, Making the Ordinary Extraordinary, Get Your Outdoor Adventure On, and Eco-Minded Experiences. Each part contains between 12-17 activites. She teaches you how to search for buried treasure, set up an outdoor diner, go on a bug scavenger hunt and to toil with the soil.

"I Love Dirt" is similar. It contains 52 activities, but these are separated by season. It encourages bird hunts in the spring, star spotting in the summer, leaf collecting in the fall and playing in the snow in the winter.

I love both of these books, as do my children. They know when we pull them off the shelf that we are about to have fun together. I love that both of these books encourage simple, outdoor, creative play. Away from television and electronic toys. My children use their imagination during the activities. I love that my they will have fond childhood memories of playing outside with their mom.

Wplus9 Apr '11 Release Day 4.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Bringing you other flower-ful card. Am loving stamping with these spring-themed sets. (If only the temperatures would rise just a tad...)

These sets will become available April 1st over at Wplus9! Get 'em while they're hot!

THANK YOU
Stamps: Wplus9 (A Special Lady, Filigreed Frames)
Dies: Wplus9 (Filigreed Frames Die)
Cardstock, Ribbon: Stampin' Up!, Neenah
Ink: Memento
Button, Twine: Papertrey Ink
Other: Signo pen

Check out the other fabulous designers:
Dawn (Owner)
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Lea
Savitri
And our April guest designer: Paulina Nakamura

Wplus9 Apr '11 Release Day 3.

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:04:00 +0000

Back with a couple more cards featuring Dawn's lovely new stamp sets and new die! I'm loving stamping with these sets. They are gorgeous! I now have all my Mother's Day cards filed and ready to be mailed in May. This is a must-have stamp set for anyone who loves flowers or for anyone wanting to send out handmade, gorgeous Mother's Day cards!

FOR A SPECIAL MOTHER
Stamps: Wplus9 (A Special Lady, Design Basics: Backgrounds II)
Dies: Wplus9 (Filigreed Frames Die and All Occasions Label Die)
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento, Versamark, Ranger Distress Ink
Ribbon: Stampin' Up
Corner Rounder: We R Memory Keepers
Markers: Copic

My card that was supposed to be posted on Day 1:

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY
Stamps: Wplus9 (A Special Lady)
Cardstock: Papertrey Ink
Ink: Memento, Colorbox
Pearls, Die: Stampin' Up
Corner Rounder: We R Memory Keepers
Other: Glossy Accents by Ranger

Check out the other fabulous designers:
Dawn (Owner)
Elise
Jinny
Kerrianne
Lea
Savitri
And our April guest designer: Paulina Nakamura