Little Bit Funky

back in town!

2012-02-21T13:46:00.000-05:00

We've been hiding out in Blacksburg since Friday. Can you find us? We spent some time with our favorite Jack. I made hoho a giant "PB & J" for his first birthday party cake. :) It snowed 6 inches and managed to be warm enough the next day for my husband to play in the snow with the boys in short sleeves and gloves. It was well received by all. It was beautiful and not even the best

Inspiration to Fitness-Num 6

2012-02-17T09:01:00.002-05:00

I think I have finally arrived at my sweet spot friends! I feel like I have fought and fought and fought and fought and worked to find something that works with me and my life and my family and I think I have finally gotten there! For me, it has all come down to being FLEXIBLE and not discounting with a day. By that I mean, if I miss a day...or HAVE to miss a day, I don't discount all of

Best Buy Review- Num 6-Fitbit

2012-02-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

Hi friends! Are you enjoying learning about all of these new products? Did you have any idea that any of them even existed? Maybe it's just me, but I am learning that I know very little about the variety of healthy living type aides that are out there. It's been a lot of fun to be put in the position of having to learn, try, use and get to know a product and then share it with others. I

civilized couponing 101-Lesson 1

2012-02-14T19:25:00.000-05:00

(The photo above shows all of my "free or cheap" stuff due to civilized couponing). OK friends, you asked for it, at least the majority of you have. To those who would rather not read another coupon post, I do apologize and I do promise that this is not going to become a coupon blog. Like it's role in my life, couponing will just be a little slice of this blog, so hang in there, OK? This

a love story and $100 gift card!! :)

2012-02-14T08:58:00.000-05:00

When eHarmony and BlogHer asked me if I had an eHarmony story I could share here, on Valentine's day no less, I immediately thought of my sister-in-law Carolyn, who met her wonderful husband Jason through eHarmony. I will let her words tell her story for the most part, but let me tell you a few things as an observer of their relationship, you know, from the outside looking in. Their union and

what i made for monday-chocolate chip cookies with sugar cookie frosting!

2012-02-13T15:56:00.001-05:00

The other day when I was trying to decide what to make for Doug to take to work on Monday, I had a stroke of genius. It's widely known that I make the best chocolate chip cookies and I recently inherited the best sugar cookie frosting recipe in the world and I thought "Hmmm...too much of a good thing to put them together, or genius?". Genius. Clearly. Amazing and wonderful genius. I don't

one sentence or less.

2012-02-11T19:42:00.000-05:00

Here are some things I've been up to in one sentence or less per photo: Above, a keepsake hoho made exclusively from the clothes sent to me (minus the fur). I got a glimpse last week of 15 year old Moses, and I liked it. OCD is quenched. Hoho is cute. I hope I'm making a cute skirt. Now you can buy a hoho anytime from HERE. You can also add any name to a hoho buy buying THIS LISTING when

Inspiration to Fitness-Num 5

2012-02-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

This weeks post is brought to you by the letter A. A for adaptation. My initial fitness goal for Inspiration to Fitness was to workout six times a week. And well, that's just not working out for me. At least not a "set of exercises for a set amount of time" sort of exercise six times a week. I am still doing the shred and exercising on a REGULAR basis, but now I know that for me and my family,

living without fear.

2012-02-10T07:05:00.000-05:00

This post may be a little vague. Because it has to be really, for the protection of those I love. But the Johnsens are being slammed. Hurt. Wounded and beaten by those in the position to do so. We are struggling to hold our heads up high. We are wandering through the dark at the moment, even though we KNOW good things are just around the corner. You know how the saying goes, the darkest

Best Buy Review- Num 5-Polar Womens Watch

2012-02-08T09:00:00.004-05:00

Hi friends! I have another really great product review for you! This week I am reviewing a Polar FT7 women's watch. If you had asked me a couple of weeks ago what that meant or what it was, I couldn't have told you...but I tell you what, now, I LOVE it. While we're at it, can I just say, that of all the products I have gotten so far, THIS is the one I thought I would like least. However,

yes or no? comment, pretty please. :)

2012-02-07T19:05:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to gauge interest in whether or not I should blog my coupon adventure? This will not become a largely saturated couponing blog but I thought it might be fun to do some posts about it...maybe a little FYI about the things that I am learning or if I can post timely info about good deals? I already have a couple of proteges. :) So what do you think? Should I or no? Interested in a

caramel apple dip--almost healthy.

2012-02-07T07:38:00.002-05:00

Want the EASIEST most satisfying recipe ever? One block of cream cheese (softened to room temp). 3/4 of a tub of caramel apple dip Blend together. Eat with tart green apples. AMAZING. Aaaaaamazing. Do it and do it right now. It even makes a great gift...I piled some in a small jar, topped with some of the extra caramel and sprinkled some crushed heath bar on top of that. Packaged with an

Sunday Dinner-The Worlds Best Pot Roast

2012-02-06T07:04:00.000-05:00

Good morning and happy Monday! I hope your week will be filled with unexpected blessings! The Johnsens are off to a good start with the Giants winning the super bowl! Doesn't matter much to me...but in this case "If daddy ain't happy...". Even I was about to lose it over the last 57 seconds of the game. :) Today, I thought I would share one of my FAVORITE recipes ever. Every time I make this,

nerd post alert: i am not THAT crazy coupon lady.

2012-02-03T14:56:00.000-05:00

I informed you some time back that I have started couponing. And not THAT kind of couponing. There will be no 50 bottles of mustard or 10 gallons of marmalade here. I am what my friend Beth refers to as a "Civilized Couponer". It's true. I've learned a lot and I thought I would share it with you. First of all, I decided to start couponing because of my sister in law. My busy, professional

Inspiration to Fitness-Num 4

2012-02-03T09:00:00.002-05:00

It's been a good week. My slow start in this Inspiration to Fitness program has proven to be very beneficial in my journey... kind of like when you play with one of those pull back cars that go on their own. You know the ones, you pull them backwards, in the opposite direction that you want them to go and when you're ready, you let go! And off it goes! My slow start and determination has had that

Best Buy Review- Num 4-PMD Personal MicroDerm

2012-02-01T09:00:00.003-05:00

First off, I will admit something. When it comes to beauty products or procedures, I know nothing. Nada. Zilch. The closest I come to buying anything in the beauty category is Burt's Bees chap stick and store brand moisturizer. So the PMD Home Microderm Abrasion Device, out of all the items I have been sent to review, made me the most anxious and nervous to use. Set up is easy: plug it

winners, prayer and other random things.

2012-01-31T20:23:00.000-05:00

First of all, just so you know, Blogher is in charge of choosing winners for ALL of the giveaways that I do through them. I personally, LOVE that, it takes a lot of pressure off of me because it IS hard to choose just one, especially since I have a personal relationship with so many of you. With that said... Blogher has indeed chosen the first two winners: Amy won the Zeo Sleep Manager...

Some Olive Garden for me...and a $100 gift card for one of you!

2012-01-30T09:00:00.004-05:00

Do you have a favorite restaurant that you will go out of your way for? We do. And that restaurant is Olive Garden. I have a long love affair with this place. We've driven for hours to get to one, and every time there is construction in our area we pray that it IS one. We just love it. What's not to love about never ending, awesome bread and salad? It's family friendly, and the food is

custom order sunday.

2012-01-29T13:49:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! A happy, happy Sunday to you! Here's a little taste of what I've been working on. This is my newest hoop design. Simple and sweet and made with little (or big) girls in mind. I just love it and the sweet message it delivers. You can buy one here. And if you've ever wondered "Could Crystal really make a hoho for me out of what I have?". Let this example put that to rest. I was

my problem with homeschooling.

2012-01-27T11:04:00.000-05:00

This post will be largely vulnerable for me. So please take that into account when you comment or email me, OK? I mean no harm to anyone, am judging no ones choices and am telling all that I have to tell from MY experiences. OK? So, if you have been around here for long, you will recall that I have an ongoing issue with the whole to home school or not home school bit. I have prayed over it

Inspiration to Fitness-Num 3

2012-01-27T09:00:00.002-05:00

My participation in BlogHer's Inspiration to Fitness program has been a little better this week than last... but more than half of it was spent sick, which continued to be no fun at all. I ended the week mostly back to normal which has been a great pace for life AND exercise. :) However, like I have said before, this has not stopped me. It has not stopped me from seeking out ways to exercise

Best Buy Review- Num 3-Perfect Portion Scale

2012-01-25T09:00:00.005-05:00

If you asked me to make an educated guess as to one of the top contributors to poor heath, my guess would be portion control. Not many seem to have it. I don't, in general, think that food is the enemy. I do, however, think that portion control is a critical element to eating well and being healthy. I also think that because of the way that food is presented to us in restaurants, often

i heart narwhals.

2012-01-24T07:06:00.000-05:00

Little known fact about me? I am in love with and obsessed with Narwhals. Who needs Unicorns when something like this REALLY exists? I will take one of each of the following please. :) Print by House of Tender Beasts. I could totally rock this t-shirt. Yes, I could. In a large. Because Etsy shirts are meant for teeny women. T-shirt by GnomEnterprises. Look how fat and cute he is?! Yes,

what i made for monday-hoho cake aka OMG cake.

2012-01-22T21:14:00.002-05:00

I just know, given the nature of people, that someone out there is either confused or offended that I seem to be going back and forth between exercise/health posts and posting about dessert. Well, I am not sure there is a proper defense for this other than, this is who I am. I exercise. I eat. I eat dessert. I see nothing wrong with baking a yummy dessert. And eating it. In case you

20 minute crafter-Superhero Valentines (with FREE print

2012-01-21T12:45:00.000-05:00

So I will start by stating that these Superhero Valentines are totally inspired by the ones that I found on Zakka Life. I saw them. Loved them. And knew instantly that Moses would love them and simultaneously have an issue with them. The issue would be "What superhero are they?" And sure enough, I showed them to him and he asked "What superhero are they supposed to be?". :) So with the help