The Four Trees of Christmas #4...

I just don't think the picture does this tree justice, it's SO cute!  This is the aluminum tree that was Andy's grandparent's - it's probably older than we are.  This year I added pops of blue, pink and purple (instead of just the green that I had it last time) - really happy with it.  It needs a tree skirt and thanks to Pinterest, I'll probably be making one!  (yes, that will mean another "Pinterest made me do it" post!)
Oh, this is up in our loft next to my craft area.
I've not ever put lights on this tree, but think I might need some for next year - what do you think?

The Four Trees of Christmas #3...

Go VOLS!
This is our UT tree, I just love it and am really hoping to get a topper this year - might break down and make one with paper and of course glitter.  Last year I found those cute candy canes at Hobby Lobby, they were quite the splurge, but SO worth it!

The Four Trees of Christmas #2...

This is Alex's Christmas tree.  
He loves nutcrackers, he had them all down last night, playing with them!  We are still on the hunt for one with a gun, but think that this year's addition is going to an army one - now I just have to remember which store I saw an ad for one. (Target has one, but it's holding a picture frame where you're supposed to put a picture of a military loved one.)

Pinterest made Me do it #5...

photo source

 

Pumpking French toast!  Yes, it's as yummy as it sounds.  I used an Italian loaf of bread and added cream cheese.  I baked it WAY longer than the recipe calls for (I put tin foil over it after 45 minutes) and it was still a little mushie for my liking, but Andy LOVED it.

Here's mine:

We love all things pumpkin in our house, so liked this one!

The Four Trees of Christmas #1...

Yes, we will have 4 trees this year.  This is our 1st tree that went up, it's the main one in the living room.  I had the mantel all pretty, but we had to dis-mantel (haha!) it so the remote control signal could reach the tv - priorities people!    I'll have to take some close up photos of the new additions to the tree, we all bought each other a new ornament, such a fun tradition that we started.

Pinterest made me do it #4...

photo source

 



  The cork board pictured above was my inspiration for this one that I made for Alex's room:

I fully intended to make one JUST like hers for the kitchen, but I haven't found a fabric that I like.  I have the cork board and the push pins, so maybe one day I'll get it done!

Link for directions.

Pinterest made me do it #3...

photo source

When my bestie, Krista, was here for my 40th birthday, she taught me how to crochet these awesome bath puffs.  She told me she could make one in about 30 minutes, so I figured it would take me 30+ hours to make, ha!  (I'm a sloooooooowwwww crafter.)  After making a few, I was actually making them in about 3 hours (record for me!!  WooHoo!).  Alex and Andy both have them in the shower and like them.

Link to directions.

PS - If you're on my Christmas list, please do NOT make yourself one.  (hint, hint, sorry!)

Pinterest made me do it #2...

Yes, another recipe from Pinterest.  This one has no source to follow as it leads you on a wild goose chase (the only downfall that I've found with Pinterest).  I hate to not give credit, makes me feel bad, but I needed to share this with yall because it was yummy!

You'll need 1 roast, one packet of Zesty Italian dressing mix, one packet of brown gravy mix, one packet of Ranch dressing mix and 1/2 cup of water (I used one cup because I didn't remember what it called for as I was throwing it all into the crockpot before work and didn't have time to look it up!).
I put it all in the crock pot with some red potatoes, chunks of onion and baby carrots.  It was divine!  Loved it and look forward to making it again with less water to make the gravy thicker.

If you've tried a Pinterest recipe/craft, please let me know!

Pinterest made me do it #1...

photo source

 

I am OBSESSED with Pinterest.  If you don't Pinterest or know what it is, please don't go there! HeHe!  I kid, go there, but DO NOT blame me for the hours that you can/will spend on there pinning to your heart's desire! 

I have TONS of pin boards and THOUSANDS of pins.  I want to start sharing some of them that I make/do. 

I made the above pictured casserole, SO yummy! I halved the recipe since it's just Andy and I eating it.  It turned out fine.  It would have been FABulous if I had used the peppers and onions (Andy won't eat them) and had used sausage instead of bacon (that's just me, I love bacon, but not on/in things, just bacon on the side....hmmmm, so that's where Alex gets it from?!).

I will definitely make this again, especially if we had company because it's so easy and ready for you when you wake up!

Link for recipe.

Around our house...

Our house is FAR from picture ready, but here are few shots!

 

This is the colonial house project that Alex's class made, he's very proud of it:

I think he did a great job!  When I asked where the door was, he said there's a secret passage under the gold rocks.  There's also a gold mine that you can "get gold to pay for your house taxes, but if you have already paid your taxes, you're home free to spend the money on fun cool stuff"!  His creative imagination never ceases to amaze me.

 

Alex's room is (being) decorated in camo and UT orange accents.  Thanks to Pinterest, I covered his old cork board to match his new decor: 

I also used some old bottle caps for push pins (glued thumb tacks to them).  Alex loved it!  When he and Bigs go out for man breakfast, Alex gets a "classic soda" (any soda in a glass bottle), so he loved that I used the bottle caps.

 

We moved this little table into his room to give him a nightstand.  I used the leftover fabric from the cork board to cover the lamp and add a little skirt to the table.  Alex loves being able to read in bed with his lamp and have a spot to put his glasses when he takes them off.  

 

This is my craft area: 

This is the loft area on our second floor.  I'm afraid it's going to be a work in progress for a long time!I'm so ready to get back to scrapping, the big work space with lots of light have really inspired me....now only to find my scissors/cutters and tape runners.  Ha!

 

I'm so thankful to have such a warm, love-filled home, even though it's not picture perfect!

 

Color Belt Testing...

It's been a while since I've posted Alex's karate pictures and I'm sure I've missed a few belts, but last night he moved up to red belt recommended: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a great night, next belt will be red belt decided and he'll start his black belt training!

 

Pre-Halloween...

Please note that I am not too thrilled with Alex's Halloween costume choice this year, no more cute costumes for him, it's all about being "cool". 

 

Alex's school had their annual Halloween night out at the Pizza Ranch.  Alex was thrilled to "hang out" with some of his friends. 

 I didn't realize that 4th graders needed to have "cool" scary costumes, but that's what makes em happy. He had a blast and that's what matters!

 

Crochet....

There's just something about fall/winter that makes me want to play with yarn.  Especially since Krista visited and taught me how to make bath scrubbies (will have to post pictures later!).  I decided to make a few smaller dishclothes for the kitchen and toss the sponges (aka germ holders). 

 

I love them so far and am waiting for JoAnns to put their cotton yarns on sale again to make more.

Birthday...

I had a surprise visitor for my 40th birthday:

My bestie, Krista from Virginia. 

Andy and Alex got me some really wonderful gifts:

 

(necklace says "y'all" with a freshwater pearl!)

 

 

And there was Costco cake:

Turning 40 wasn't all that bad!

From my Phone....

Here are some summer fun pictures from my phone.

At the mall, avoiding the heat:

Getting tomato cages from the Fleet Farm:

 Working in the garden:

 Vacation in Florida - ate Chick-Fil-A 4 times (yes, FOUR times!):

While on vacation in Florida, went to Hobby Lobby, the same day that Alex & PawPaw got breakfast from Dunkin Donuts, we had 2nd Chick-Fil-A for lunch, swam in PawPaw & MawMaw's pool, had dinner at Carraba's, and Jen & the boys got there (it was  GOOD day):

Gulf World in Panama City with Pokie, Gracie and Bubba:

 Green beans from our garden:

And there's been so many other fun summer days and hope to have a few more before school starts on the 4th!

It's a Date...

One Saturday when Alex was at his father's, Andy & I took a lil road trip to Red Wing, MN.

Yes, people really say, "Uffda" up here in their everyday speech (along with "nummy" instead of "yummy", but that's a whole different post for another day!).

 The World's Largest Boot:

(Just so you get how big that boot is, Andy's a good 6'6"!)

There are painted boots around town:

These boat houses are attached to metal rods that they slide up and down on (Andy found it very interesting and told me to take a picture of it to show my dad who might also find it interesting!):

We stopped at the old Pottery Depot that now filled with (ridiculously priced) antique shops:

It was a fun date day and I think that we only said once or twice how we wished Bubs was with us, which is a new record (it's usually like twelve or thirty times!).

We're back...

We are back from vacation and BUSIER than ever with summer school for Alex and VBS for both of us at night!  For now, here's a couple pictures from vacation:

More to come, but for now, still doing laundry and uploading photos!