A Turtle's Life for Me

Canvas Corp Giveaway!!

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

I am beyond excited to be able to introduce Canvas Corp for the

final giveaway of my anniversary week!

Canvas Corp brings together designers and merchants to offer unique, earthy

products that are basic and blank on purpose to help inspire creativity!!

If that wasn't all enough, Canvas Corp is also extremely generous!!

They're offering one of you lucky readers, a goodie box filled with

over $45 worth of their gorgeous products!!!

The box is filled with small canvases, burlap, canvas shapes, decorative papers and more!

To help encourage creativity, you can visit Canvas Corp's Facebook page for lots of photos...

as well as their blog for tutorials and even more ideas!

I know, I know... your mind is already spinning thinking of all the fantastic things you could create!

Take another peek.. over $45 worth of goodies just waiting for you to get your hands on them!

3 Easy Ways to Enter:

*This giveaway is only for residents of the continental U.S.*

1. Follow Canvas Corp on Facebook. Please leave a comment on their wall letting them
know I sent you and then come back here and leave a comment on this post!

2. Follow A Turtle's Life for Me blog. Leave a comment on this post letting me know you did!

3. Tweet or put a FB post tagging Canvas Corp and A Turtle's Life for Me, sharing this giveaway!

Please be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry! Please make sure your email is enabled in your

profile or else leave your email in your comment, so I have a way to contact you!

Winner will be picked via Random.org. Giveaway will run from 1/27/12 - 2/3/12.

Poppy Seed Fabric Giveaway!!

2012-01-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

I could sit and look through fabric shops for hours... the colors,

the patterns... it's like an ice cream sundae for the eyes!

Poppy Seed Fabrics is one of my favorites!!!

Poppy Seed Fabrics is run by the lovely Kim who operates this family-run business with such

a passion that it just shines through! I love a hands-on, family-oriented business owner!

They have a huge selection of bright, fun fabrics for the home!

I think every one of these would be just perfect as a throw pillow for my couch!

Or as a cushion for the piano stool that's been on my to-do list for months!

...and have monkeys and whales ever looked so cute?!

and now I just saw that elephant fabric!

That would look perfect as a draft stopper for my daughter's room!

And because I've gotten so many emails from readers telling me how they're going with a grey/yellow color scheme, I had to include this gorgeous picture! I can just picture a thrift store chair recovered in some yellow fabric with a grey throw pillow on top! Somebody win this and then come back and show me the fantastic projects you come up with! Please, let me live vicariously through you!!!

But there's more than just fabric, she also carries patterns for adorable dresses!

Oh, how I wish I could sew!!

and these totally modern and hip favor bags that would be perfect for

Valentine's, party favors, Easter basket fillers, shower favors...

As if all this eye candy wasn't enough, Poppy Seed Fabrics has even more new items coming in the next couple months, as well as fun things planned for throughout the year!

Because she doesn't just run a fabric shop, Kim also maintains the Poppy Seed Fabrics blog

where she shares sales, tutorials, projects and much more!

And she's so generous that she's giving one of my fabulous readers

a $25 gift certificate to Poppy Seed Fabrics!!

4 Easy Ways to Enter:

*In order to enter you must be a follower of A Turtle's Life for Me blog. Please take a second to click on the follow button on the right sidebar and then complete the other entries! Thank you!

1. Visit Poppy Seed Fabrics on Etsy and add to your favorites. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what your favorite item in her shop is!

2. Follow Poppy Seed Fabrics on Facebook. Please leave a comment on their wall letting them know I sent you and then come back here and leave a comment on this post!

3. Follow Poppy Seed Fabrics blog. Leave a comment on this post letting me know you did!

4. Tweet or put a FB post tagging Poppy Seed Fabrics and A Turtle's Life for Me, sharing this giveaway!

Please be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry! Please make sure your email is enabled in your

profile or else leave your email in your comment, so I have a way to contact you!

Winner will be picked via Random.org. Giveaway will run from 1/26/12 - 2/2/12.

Share & Wow Wednesday!!

2012-01-25T17:00:00.002-05:00

These weeks go by SO fast now that I'm doing a link party!

I feel like I'm posting it, I'm wrapping it up, I'm posting it...

NEED to start getting into the swing of things!

Don't forget I'm having my 1 yr. anniversary party this week with lots of fun giveaways!!

They're only going to be up for a week, so please be sure to enter! If you're reading this

you most likely already qualify for at least one of the entries... super easy!

$60 Store Credit to Vinyl Crafts

$25 Store Credit to The Rusted Chain

2 Spools of Twine from Whisker Graphics ($30 value)

and don't forget to come back Thurs. and Fri. for our final 2 giveaways!!

Now I'm off to celebrate with this little man!

How in the heck is he 10 years old today???

Divine Twine from Whisker Graphics Giveaway!!!

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm beyond excited for this giveaway!!! Just posting the title was making me all giddy!!

I've been seeing so many projects all over blogland using twine and I've been just drooling!!

So when Whisker Graphics said they would help me celebrate my 1 year anniversary,

by giving away 2 spools of twine... well, I think I let out a little squeal!!

Honestly, aren't you already dreaming of all the possibilities?!

Think of how pretty all your gifts would look packaged up with a little twine!

Think of all the creative touches you could add to your next party or shower!

You can use it to decorate for the holidays or just everyday living!

Isn't this wreath completely gorgeous?!

And here's how high-quality Whisker Graphics' twine is... their twine was used

to wrap the boxes that celebrities received at The Academy Awards!!

And while I'll let it be known that I'm particularly partial to the aqua twine...

... I'll be a nice hostess and let the winner pick out their own

2 favorite colors from the Whisker Graphics Shop!

That's 480 yards of twine for the lucky winner!!

4 Easy Ways to Enter:

1. Follow Whisker Graphics on Facebook. Must leave a comment on their wall letting them know I sent you and then come back here and leave a comment on this post!

2. Follow Whisker Graphics Blog! Leave a comment on this post letting me know you did!

3. Follow A Turtle's Life for Me blog (up on the right sidebar!). Leave a comment letting me know!

4. Tweet or put a FB post tagging Whisker Graphics and A Turtle's Life for Me, sharing this giveaway!

Please be sure to leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry! Please make sure your email is enabled in your

profile or else leave your email in your comment, so I have a way to contact you!

Winner will be picked via Random.org. Giveaway will run from 1/25/12 - 2/1/12.

The Rusted Chain Giveaway!!

2012-01-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

The Rusted Chain

Just saying the name makes me feel like sighing. It's such a simple, sweet perfect name that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

And then I read the "About Me" page and I really fell in love.

We are about simply inspiring jewelry.
We are about supporting local businesses.
We are about honoring God.
We are about living simply and sweet tea.
We are about fresh cut flowers.
We are about thrift stores, yard sales, and antiques.
We are about bare toes in green grass.
We are about big red barns and mason jars.
We are about savoring small moments in life.
We are about daisies, peonies and fields of sunflowers.
We are about supporting an underdog and giving to charities.
We are about friends, family and fun.

Her pieces range from simple and stunning...

Too delicate and stunning. But they're all perfect in their simplicity.

She has unisex pieces, as well.

and some that make you let out a little smirk.

And one lucky Turtle's Life reader is going to win a

$25 Gift Certificate to The Rusted Chain shop!!

Simple Entries:

1. Follow The Rusted Chain on FB. You must leave a msg. on her wall saying I sent you and then come back here and leave a comment letting me know!

2. Follow The Rusted Chain blog. Come back here and leave a comment letting me know!

3. Follow A Turtle's Life for Me blog! Leave a comment!

Please be sure to have you email enabled or else leave an email address in your comment!

If I can't reach you, you can't claim your prize!

This giveaway will be live from Tues., Jan. 24th- Tues., Jan. 25th!

Please be sure to check out the rest of my giveaways this week to celebrate my 1st year of blogging!!

Sunday Spotlights!! (yes, I'm aware it's Monday)

2012-01-23T20:27:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... I'm late to my own party, but I was ridiculously sick and barely able to lift my head, let alone type a post!! So thanks for bearing with me... and let's move right on to something else ridiculous... all the talent that's out there! My goodness, you guys have been busy!

#1 Most-Viewed Link

This is the cutest little side table makeover from My Serendipity Home and I'm

going to make you go check out her link to see the full before and after! Darling!

#3 Rock Star Birthday Party

I could tell you guys every week how much I love simple, home parties and I'm not sure you would fully appreciate it even then! But Kyra from RACKS and Mooby definitely seems to be on the same wave-length as me! I adore this birthday party- decorations, food and games that anybody could pull off from their home!!! And she even got the kids involved in helping!

#3 Chocolate Cherry Whoopie Pies

I'm from Amish Country, what can I say?? We like our whoopie pies! And anything with cherry is an instant winner in my book! Visit Laurie at Gallamore West for the full recipe and more pics!

#4 Marshmallow Love

This marshmallow link from Angela's Adventures was one of those duh! moments when you're wondering why something like this never occurred to you! You must go see how easy this is!

#5 Placemat Pillows

I you've followed me for any length of time, you know I have a slight obsession with placemat pillows! These gorgeous ones from Kelsey at Tattered and Inked are no exception! I even have the tablecloth that matches this set, so my eye went right to it! Love the pops of color!

#6 DIY Wall-Mounted Bottle Vases

These old Coke bottles have gotten a brand-new life thanks to Kristine at ReMade Simple! Her site is filled with fantastic ideas and her photography is stunning! You must set aside some time to browse!

#7 Inside Out Rice Krispie Treats

Inspiration for Celebration shared a new way to eat Rice Krispie treats that would be perfect for parties or school functions! Love this new twist on an old classic!

#8 Buffet Before/After

I love this furniture makeover from Lily Field Furniture! The orange with the newly painted black hardware is just stunning! I wish I could find a piece like this around me!

#10 Heart Wreath

I didn't even realize till just this second when I went to link this up, but I'm going to feature the same blogger twice this week! I was so impressed with what she made this wreath out of, that I'm going to make you all go check it out for yourself! My Serendipity Home was very creative with this one!

Thanks again for linking up everyone and come back Wednesday for our next Share & Wow Wednesday link party!!!

Vinyl Crafts Giveaway!!

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

Oh lucky, lucky you!!!

Whoever wins this is required to squeal and jump up and down when they find out!

Becky from Vinyl Crafts is so talented, and her work speaks for itself,

but she's a pretty neat girl all on her own!!

She writes, "I am the mother to nine children from 8 months to 20 . . . I have a

very supportive and wonderful husband . . .I love to design and I love chocolate. I am
also a runner and am currently training to run another 1/2 marathon (my
first since giving birth to sweet baby number nine)."

Umm, yeah, pretty amazing!! And in all her spare time she makes all these incredible signs!

From the simple and straight-forward to the detailed...

They're all gorgeous and I will be SO jealous of the lucky winner

who gets to display one of these in her house!

And the best part, Becky is giving the

winner a $60 credit to spend in her shop!!!

That's amazing and it's so easy to win!!

ENTER for your chance to WIN!

1. Visit the Vinyl Crafts shop and add it to your favorites (just click on the little heart that says

"add to favorites") then leave a comment here about a one of the products you like

2. Like the Vinyl Crafts' Facebook page and leave a separate comment here saying you did

(I'm sure she'd love you to post on their wall too! Tell her I sent you!)

3. Follow A Turtle's Life for Me and leave a separate comment that you do!

PLEASE, please make sure your email address is linked to your blogging ID or leave your email address with your comment.

The winner will be picked using random.org. The giveaway will run from 1/23/12-1/30/12

1 Year Blogiversary Giveaway Week!!

2012-01-22T19:06:00.000-05:00

I have officially been blogging for 1 year!!!

This is a big stinkin' deal! I usually flit from

one idea to the next, so 1 year is amazing!!

...and just so we can get this technical part out of the way, in case any of you are

scratching your heads, saying "1 year?? But she's got posts from 2009??"

Yes, I actually did start in 2009 and wrote a handful of posts, maybe 8 or 9

over 5 months and had a whopping 5 followers when I called it quits!

Just couldn't figure out what "my voice" was and why nobody was coming to me!!

But for whatever reason, on Jan. 24, 2011, I logged myself back on and wrote a post!

And then wrote another and another and this go round, I got hooked! People started coming

to me and I will never forget the day I hit 35 followers!! I was beyond excited!

I just took a quick look at my stats, and in this past year, I've had 1,104,228 pageviews!!

I can't even comprehend that number! That's so bizarre to me that so many people

want to hear what little old me has to say! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

So to celebrate, this week we'll have a week of giveaways from some amazing sponsors!

I don't do giveaways very often, so I'm very excited to be able to offer these to you

guys as a thank you for coming back and reading me every day and being so supportive!

Come back tomorrow for the first giveaway!!

Valentine's Cookie Pops

2012-01-20T09:00:00.001-05:00

Seems weird to say this, but just like the Valentine's cookie pops I posted a couple days ago, these were actually for a bridal shower too. But they're heart-shaped, so they're getting included in this week!

Change the color to red if you want, but I like the idea of not always sticking with the traditional color schemes!

I use the same cut-out sugar cookie recipe that I've been using for years- the one my mom put in our church cookbook many, many years ago! But feel free to use whatever your favorite your favorite recipe is!

Valentine's Biscuits

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

These are as easy or hard as you want to make them! My mom, superwoman that she is, would always make homemade biscuits and cut them out with a heart cookie cutter. And, yes, Valentine's dinner would include these, red punch, homemade truffles in a heart-shaped box that she'd cut herself out of cardboard and a variety of other things that were all either heart-shaped or red.

Seriously, you big-time bloggers should be happy there was no such thing as blogging when I was growing up because she would have taken the blogging world by storm!

Anyways, I just do it the easy way. Biscuits out of a can that I use my kitchen scissors to make a couple snips until they're heart-shaped and then bake as directed.

My daughter is always in charge of making the rice krispie treats and decorating them. Her favorite part!

Linking up to:

Share & Wow Wednesday!!

2012-01-18T17:00:00.006-05:00

You guys rocked it last week!

My goal was to hit 50 links for my 1st party and we hit 59!

Thank you, thank you! I love hitting goals!

Let's have a repeat, so link away, my friends! And don't forget to visit some of the other links and leave them some comment love! You know you want it too, so hop over and give it to someone else!

*And don't forget to enter the Mardi Gras gift basket giveaway that I'm co-hosting with

2 other awesome blogs, The Virtuous Wife and Frugal Coupon Queens!*

The winner will receive the Ultimate Mardi Gras gift basket from the world famous Haydel's Bakery in New Orleans, Louisiana, which includes: your choice of one large Traditional or Filled King Cake plus... Haydel’s own Mambo Beat Mardi Gras Magazine, a king cake history scroll, one pack of French Market Coffee, Haydel's Specialty Bead Pack, this year's handcrafted Porcelain Collectible (while supplies last), Mardi Gras CD, Mardi Gras poster and a Mardi Gras cup. This package is worth nearly 60 dollars!

*You can enter here*

Now let's party!!!

Heart Cookie Pops

2012-01-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

These were actually cookie pops that I made for my sister's bridal shower, but shhhh!! We can also say they're for Valentine's Day!

Just use your favorite cut-out sugar cookie recipe (mine happens to be from Joy of Cooking). For each cookie, cut out 2 large cookies. Out of one of those cookies, cut a small heart out of the center. When you place the solid heart on the cookie sheet before baking, press a lollipop stick into it.

After they've cooled, spread with your favorite butter cream recipe, that you've tinted pink. Place the cut-out heart on top and then wrap!

This picture is about 7 years old and I've come a long way since then! I might just make these again this year, so I can get a better picture and wrap them up a little nicer! And because I know you're all dying to know, the sister whose bridal shower I made these for, just had her 5th little baby! It's been a busy and blessed 7 years!

Linking up to:

Birdseed Valentines

2012-01-17T09:00:00.005-05:00

My daughter and I made these for her class a couple years ago and for some reason haven't made them again since! Not sure why because they were a huge hit and pretty easy!

Birdseed Valentines:

3/4 c. bird seed
1 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. water

Mix and pack tightly into a greased cookie cutter placed on greased foil. Put a straw in for the ribbon hole and bake at 170 for about an hour.

* If you find it's not sticking together very well and is too crumbly, you can add honey until it sticks together. Or make a rue out of flour and water mixed together and then add to birdseed mixture- it will act as glue to hold them together better.

And then we packaged them all up and this little cutie got to take them in! Where did my little girl go?? Sob!

Linking up to:

Beyond the Picket Fence, House of Hepworth's, Thrifty Decorating, Tip Junkie, Frugal Girls, Tatertots & Jello, Itsy Bitsy Paper,

Jar of Joy

2012-01-16T09:00:00.011-05:00

Who wouldn't want a little reminder every morning of the joy you bring to other peoples' lives?!

I made this jar for my son's teacher a couple years ago, so she could have her own little Jar of Joy.

I cut a heart out of thick cardboard, cut 2 slits in it for the ribbon to thread through and then painted it red. Once it dried, I brushed glue on and then covered it with red glitter. I painted the lid red, as well and used puffy paint to write "Jar of Joy" on the top. Then I threaded the ribbon through and used some small glue dabs every so often to hold it in place.

I counted out how many days of school we had left and cut that many hearts out. I divided the hearts among all the kids in the class and sent them home with a note to write a message to our wonderful teacher! We got the best messages back- from the students, from parents, from siblings! They were just wonderful! We folded them all and put them in the jar and she was able to pull out one a day for the rest of the year!

Linking up to:
Today's Creative Blog, Michelle Paige, Beyond the Picket Fence, House of Hepworth's, Tip Junkie, Frugal Girls, Tatertots & Jello, Itsy Bitsy Paper,

Sunday Spotlights!

2012-01-15T19:02:00.000-05:00

Thank you SO much to everybody
who linked up to my first
Share & Wow Wednesday party!!

I was so tickled to have 59 projects shared! Love seeing what all of you are up to!

And now to show the rest of you, what some of my favorites were! You guys have some mad talent!

#1 Den Transformation at Swoon Style & Home

Shanna has been one busy girl and I love her color choices and style. I've been following

them (sisters-in-law who are absolutely adorable) for awhile and I think I've loved

everything they've ever posted! I can't wait until more people discover them!

#2 Clothespin Wreath by Bliss Images & Beyond

BIG disclaimer here... I saw this link and got so excited because I have all

these plans to make something similar and this one just looked gorgeous! I

had no clue till I clicked over that it was by my BFF. She's got serious talent,

though, so I had to include it because I truly love it!

#3 Craft Room by Gallamore West

It's no secret that I have a major crush on Laurie, and she's impressed me

yet again! I'm drooling over all her organization and the inside of the

armoire doors. You have to go check out the rest of this room!

#4 Melted Crayon Art at Helping Little Hands

I love this project! I think it's so simple for such a stunning result!

#5 Lumberjack Party from Cupcakes Kisses 'n' Crumbs

I adore every part of this party! I've made no secret of the fact that I love parties
that are set in a home and made by hand! The details in this party are astounding! Go check
out the log cookies, the marshmallow axes, the cakes and everything else! Stunning!!

#6 Distressed Trunk by Mom 4 Real

I love this trunk! I currently have a trunk in the middle-stages just waiting for me to
paint it and this before/after gives me so much motivation! It turned out fabulous!

#7 Maraschino Cherry Cake by Bird on a Cake

Along with the rest of blogland, I have swooning over this cake! Not only
is it stunning to look at, but it even looks delicious! Take a look at the rest of her
blog, her work is consistently fabulous!

#8 Kitchen Before/After at It's Overflowing

The before/after of this kitchen is fantastic and I love how much detail
she gives us along the way! Will definitely be showing this one to my hubby!

#9 Party Tip at Moore Babies

I love this tip that was linked up, because it's so practical and cheap and
makes such a big difference! We do this often when we have parties
and I'm sure our guests all appreciate it!

#10 Draft Stopper by My Life: Planned in Pencil

I just had to include this one because it can save so much money this time
of year and it's so simple to make! I might even pull out my sewing machine
for this one! Gasp!

Thanks again for linking up and I was so happy when I was visiting all the links to see
others visiting from my party and leaving comments as well! Everyone loves to get
comments on their posts that they worked so hard on, and it meant so much to me to
see my readers out there encouraging others by leaving them sweet notes!!

Come back on Wednesday for our next party!!

The Ultimate Mardi Gras Gift Basket Giveaway!!

2012-01-15T13:46:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to have my first giveaway where I'm co-hosting with 2 other awesome blogs, The Virtuous Wife and Frugal Coupon Queens!

The winner will receive the Ultimate Mardi Gras gift basket from the world famous Haydel's Bakery in New Orleans, Louisiana, which includes: your choice of one large Traditional or Filled King Cake plus... Haydel’s own Mambo Beat Mardi Gras Magazine, a king cake history scroll, one pack of French Market Coffee, Haydel's Specialty Bead Pack, this year's handcrafted Porcelain Collectible (while supplies last), Mardi Gras CD, Mardi Gras poster and a Mardi Gras cup. This package is worth nearly 60 dollars!

A month or so ago, Amanda, from the Virtuous Wife posted something on my FB page about a king cake. I honestly had no idea what she was talking about! This little PA girl isn't too familiar with all the ins and outs of Mardi Gras life! But I've since learned that it's a yeast bread... and if that wasn't enough right there, it's braided, cinnamon-sugar, covered in icing and more colored sugars and can be filled!! I'm going to try my hand at making some soon, to help get me in the mood!

But for right now, the rest of you can use the form below to enter for your chance to win one, plus lots of other goodies, from the world famous Haydel's Bakery! Good luck!

(For continental US residents only: Haydel's Bakery does NOT ship internationally!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Superhero Bin

2012-01-13T15:54:00.006-05:00

My daughter pulled her 6 year old cousin's name in the "Official Cousin Handmade Gift Exchange". She knew immediately that she was doing something with superheroes.

We found this wooden, blue bin (that's pulling a disappearing-before-photo act right now), at a thrift store for 60 cents.

We grabbed some old comic books and she picked all the ones she wanted and cut them out. Then she started helping me Mod Podge them all on. We did about 4 layers of Mod Podge over 2 weeks and they just were curling and not laying as flat as we would have liked, so we grabbed some clear Contact paper and covered the entire thing, inside and out, with contact paper.

Our original intent was to fill it with art supplies, but that never happened. One of those downfalls of waiting until the last minute.

Linking up to:

Tatertots & Jello, Craft O Maniac, Today's Creative Blog, Frugal Girls,

Share & Wow Wednesday!! First Ever Link Party!!

2012-01-11T17:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to my 1st ever LINK PARTY!!!!

I've been wanting to start one for so long, but was just too scared! What if no one showed up? What if I couldn't figure it out (still, what if I can't??)? What if I didn't have enough time to visit everybody who linked up?? What if I forgot to do a features post?? What if no one showed up?

WHAT IF NO ONE SHOWED UP???

And then it hit me, who cares? Really, I mean, if only a few people show up, then that kind of solves all the other questions too, right? Well, except for that pesky 'how to figure it out' one.

But, I'm here and I'm going for it, so link up people and help spread the word. Or don't, because if you're one of the only partiers... well, then you just guaranteed yourself a feature didn't you??

Smart move there, player.

Breakfast Casseroles

2012-01-10T15:57:00.002-05:00

Yes, these were perfect for Christmas and that's what I made them for and I realize it's not January. But that's just a crazy time of year, and I was a little lacking on the posting then (hoping not too many people noticed).

So, I'll go ahead and post them now and hope you can find an occasion to make them soon, because they're some of our favorites!

We've been making this egg casserole for years now and one of my favorite parts is that it's really versatile. For this one, I used hashbrowns and sausage, but I've also made it with bread cubes if that's all I have or cubed ham or bacon.

Egg Sausage Casserole:
hashbrowns or grated potatoes (I'm going to guess about 2-3 cups,enough to cover bottom of pan)
1 lb. cooked meat, crumbled sausage, cubed ham, crumbled bacon
1.5-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
7 eggs
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
1.5 cups milk

Grease the bottom of a 13x9 pan and spread hashbrowns in it to cover the bottom. Spread the cooked meat over the potatoes. Spread the cheese next.

In a bowl, whisk together eggs, dijon mustard and milk. Pour evenly over the entire casserole. Cover with foil and place in fridge overnight. The following morning, bake at 350 for about an hour, covered. Remove the foil and cook another 15 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

...and just because everybody loves a headshot...

And a new-to-us casserole for this year, was Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Baked French Toast. It was fantastic and we ended up making it twice during December! Definitely will be saved for the future, but isn't everything she makes??

Linking up to:

Tatertots & Jello, Craft O Maniac,

Teacher Gift

2012-01-09T15:39:00.001-05:00

I saw my friend make a print like this last year, and have been itching to do it myself ever since. Her handwriting is much better than mine, but I'm still pretty pleased with how it turned out!

I just took a piece of white cardstock and free-handed the writing and tree. The branches are all the kids' names and their thumbprints are on their own branch.

Easy peasy.

Linking up to:

Tatertots & Jello,

Blue Front Door

2012-01-06T16:41:00.008-05:00

I've despised my front door since, we moved in 4.5 years ago. No idea really, why I never painted it but I do know it took me forever to decide on a color this summer!

The handle was in terrible shape. That's not a bad reflection either... it really is in bad shape.

I'm not a fan of the classic colors usually, because they're just too predictable for me. Finally I decided on a bright cherry red and marched myself down to Lowe's to buy that and pick up some drawer pulls I found on clearance. Apparently, that wasn't meant to be since I placed the quart of BRIGHT RED paint on my garage floor and when I went back a couple days later it was all over the concrete! Apparently the paint guy didn't put the lid on the entire way (he must have been distracted trying to tell me he had no idea what paint colors I could get if I started with a blue tinted based). Anyways, marched myself back down to Lowe's got all my money back and since I was feeling fiesty I walked out with an aqua blue!!

I painted the back of the hutch and loved. Nope, no stopping me now! Painted the piano (pics still to come) and eventually got around to getting that front door painted!

Here's the thing with me, though... nothing really makes sense. I talked all last winter about how I couldn't wait to paint the door and use some ORB on the door handles and outside lights. Then I did what any normal person does... talked about it some more all summer.

I'm going to guess and say it was sometime around late October or early November when I actually got around to it. Late October in PA usually means it's getting pretty chilly. Darned if that door didn't take about 6 days to dry. And the night I painted it, my husband got home right around dusk and I quick sent him out with the door handle to spray paint in the dark. The cold dark.

So it's not the best job. I love driving up to it and seeing my door, but once you pull open the storm door and see the scratches, you just have to put your blinders on! It will get touched up next summer, though. Maybe.

Notice how the "plate" for the deadbolt lock isn't on exactly straight?? Well, when he tried to straighten that it scratched the paint even more! It will get touched up eventually, but for right now I'm bored with this project!

Linking up to:

Tatertots & Jello, Addicted 2 Decorating, I Heart Naptime, Positively Splendid, CraftOManiac, Brassy Apple, Skip to My Lou, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Home Stories A to Z, The 36th Avenue,

Map Coasters

2012-01-05T13:22:00.011-05:00

For our homemade gift extravaganza, my husband pulled my other brother's name. This particular one loves to travel and spent a semester studying in Italy, he honeymooned all over Europe and his wife spent a large chunk of her childhood living in Ireland.

So we played off of that and came up with map coasters! I say "we" because there wasn't much of a chance of him coming up with an idea. That doesn't really happen. So I thought of the idea and got involved with one teensy step along the way, but he really did do this himself!

I handed him a map, 4 tiles, a pack of felt pads and some Mod Podge and the man got to work! He was making a pattern and lining it up on the map and I didn't interfere at all!! The only part I helped with was when he had his pieces cut out, he didn't like the straight edges, so I just used my fingers and "tore them up" a little to make it more of a weathered edge. He put 6 coats of Mod Podge on the top with a couple hours drying time in between each coat.

Linking up to:

At the Picket Fence, Frugal Gals, Tatertots & Jello, Addicted 2 Decorating, I Heart Naptime, Positively Splendid, CraftOManiac, Brassy Apple, Skip to My Lou, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Home Stories A to Z, The 36th Avenue, Tip Junkie, Frugal Girls,

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2012-01-04T15:46:00.001-05:00

Oh my word. I'm 35.

Seriously, I'm not sure what is happening to me. I know 35 is young. I know it. I know 30's are the new 20's. Yes, I have enjoyed my 30's FAR more than the previous decade. Yes, I'm looking forward to this year and have a feeling it will bring great things (please, please, PUH-LEASE!!!).

But I remember when my mom was 35. She's frozen in my head at 35. This whole time thing has really hit me.

(edited to add: I wrote this post last night, but today received a birthday card from my mom and she wrote in it, "wasn't I just 35 a few years ago?". The envelope was cute, because she always addresses it to "Naturtle" and I was thinking I was going to enlarge it and frame it because I just love her handwriting, but then I realized she got my address wrong so I probably won't do that. Thanks, goofball.)

But it's a good day and a happy day!

My wonderful husband packed the kids' lunches last night so I wouldn't have to this morning. I already got a gorgeous new laptop bag and I can't wait to fill in all the little pockets. The family took me out to dinner last night since Wednesdays are our crazy day! And the best of all?? My husband told me he's coming home early so he can run our daughter to dance and piano while I get to stay home alone for 2 hours!! And he's bringing Chinese take-out home with him! And then I get more gifts!

Love my life and my family!

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls

2012-01-02T11:38:00.011-05:00

Whenever I make a new recipe, I always feel the need to ask "Do you just like it or is it a make-it-again kind of like?".

This got a resounding MAKE IT AGAIN from everybody who ate them. The only comment I got was from the guys who said to make them a little smaller next time because they wanted to just shove the whole thing in their mouth and I made them actually take a bite and then a second bite. Sorry, for the inconvenience fellas.

But these were super easy and no inconvenience to me at all, especially because I used some of my buffalo shredded chicken that I already had in the freezer. Already cooked, shredded and sauce was already there!

Take a look at the recipe I linked to from The Food Network, though, because there were some changes I made, so you definitely have options for ingredients and how to cook them!

Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls (adapted from: Food Network)

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded *
1/4 cup hot or buffalo wing sauce *
1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs

bleu cheese dressing, optional

Preheat oven to 350 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce and shredded cheese in a ball. Roll into 1" balls. Put the flour, beaten eggs and panko bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll each chicken ball in the flour, then in eggs and finally in the bread crumbs, covering to coat, and place on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Serve with bleu cheese dressing if desired.

*In place of the 2 chicken breasts and buffalo sauce, I substituted 2 bags of my shredded chicken I had in the freezer.

Linking up to:

Today's Creative Blog, Tip Junkie, L'il Luna, House of Hepworth's, The 36th Avenue, Frugal Gals, Tatertots & Jello, Addicted 2 Decorating, I Heart Naptime, Positively Splendid, CraftOManiac,

We are Un-Decorated!!

2012-01-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

We always take the tree and decorations down on New Year's Day, and usually I'm SO ready for it. Between Christmas and New Year's, with the rush of gifts laying around everywhere, I just start feeling claustrophobic and can't wait for that tree to come down. This year, I just wasn't feeling it, though!

However... once it was down and that floor space was opened up, I think I actually started dancing! I think I needed it more than I realized!

This year, my family (meaning my siblings and parents and all the spouses and kids that go along with them), did our normal thing with the buying gifts stuff, but we always did a handmade gift exchange. The adults exchanged names with each other and the kids exchanged with each other. So cool to watch the kids get excited about making something for a cousin! I forget when we exchanged names (thinking it was in October), but it's all we've talked about since then! SO.MUCH.FUN.

I'll be showing you guys some of the things we made throughout this week, but tonight I wanted to show you some of my favorite ornaments since I snapped a couple pics before we took the tree down. And this actually does tie into the handmade exchange, I'm not just rambling, because the first picture are ornaments my sister made me! She actually made them for all the sisters (I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers), but since she pulled my name, I was the only one who got the Miss Piggy one. It took me all of 3 days to break it and I almost cried. Really mad at myself.

But I still have the other two and I love them to pieces (not literally because then I really would cry).

Also, if your detective skills are sharp, you'll notice another ornament in the upper right of that picture that doesn't quite make sense.

This is example #457,329 of how Natalie can't multi-task. A class I help with was making these as presents for their parents. My only job was to guide them with the fingerprint snowman, and then write their name and 2011. I was cruising along doing alright, when I noticed on the one kids' I wrote "200". Um, no way to correct that but no worries because the teacher had extra. The next day after they dried, I realized I apparently did it on more than just the one I noticed! Oops! Seriously! A parent will look back for years at this ornament and think, "Awww, I remember the year 200. That was a good year!".

So then after I came home from work on my last day before break, I opened up my gift from the teacher and she had wrapped this up with it!! I laughed and laughed! Now every time I see it, I keep singing, "In the year 200, 200...". My family's annoyed with me!

Back to my ornaments... another favorite has always been this shredded wheat and glue one my daughter made.

and the one my kids bought me this year. Think they know me a little??

and my collection of turtle ones from my MamaTurtle.

Yes, this last turtle is missing an arm. This is my ornament from this year. But no worries, she gave me some random arm to put on in its place. Then sent my dad with another random arm a couple days later. There must be lots of turtle arms laying around over there, and so far none of them match. I think I'll keep it just the way it is!