lickey, lickey

Forget that new stainless steel dishwasher.

::my cheaper option::

::there's nothing like wearing lunch and an afternoon snack on your shirt::

shells

I love the beach! Living in Destin for almost 4 years got my juices going for all things beachy. The closest thing to a beach here in Memphis is my girlfiend's backyard sand pit. Hopefully one day soon I will have the sand between my toes on a near daily basis. My dream....an all white, shabby beach cottage somewhere on the Emerald Coast. Ahhh, dreamin' is fun but the price tag is not. I'm addicted to starfish and sandollars...shells just bring some sort of pop to a picture frame or an apothecary jar. Makes me feel at home.

There are some big changes going on in my family's lives. Change is good and usually I'm up for adventure and the curves in the road. This time...I'm a little sad. My parents divorced when I was 17 and they've since remarried and both live WAY far (like as in 18-20 hrs away). But my one immediate family member here in Memphis is now moving. My brother. He has an awesome experience to go to a incredible innovation design school in Chicago. It's one of the top 3 schools and he was accepted. I'm so very proud of him for following his dreams no matter how hard and challenging it is. He is trusting in God fully and whole heartedly. My selfish side wants him to stay here. I guess I feel comfort in knowing he's just around the corner. I still have my grandmother and 2 aunts here but there is something about having him here that brings me peace. I will have to say that I'm totally stoked about going to Chicago and having a free place to stay...oh boy, is he in for a good time when we all crash at his place!

Good luck Uncle Z!!!!

oh ye of little faith

hubby: babe, your blog is really good.
me: uh, have you never looked at it before?
hubby: yea, but it's really good and you're funny. I just wouldn't have a clue how to do all this stuff. (this coming from gadget guru)

So, thanks hun for the vote of confidence! He always thought I was crazy for taking all these random pictures of furniture, crafting, and the kiddos. Now that he sees it all together he thinks it's good. I love him!

without Him

As a child of God, I often wonder where my life would be without my Savior. It's only by His grace that I'm forgiven for my short comings and sins. I'm not perfect and I never will be. Thank goodness for an ongoing relationship. I've slipped and fallen and tried to get right back up and follow Him but sometimes I chose the wrong way. I'm tearful in thinking of God's arms just waiting and calling me back Home. He's there with arms wide open to hug me and tell me how much He's missed me. I am so comforted in knowing that if I fail I will not be shunned. Here on earth I have problems with perfection. Little by little I'm learning to let go but some days I find it ever so hard. Freedom comes on the weight of God's shoulders. Let Him carry it for you...it's amazing what giving it fully and honestly to Him can do for you.

sweet

Today is cookie and cupcake day for the shower. I'm not a baker by any means but thought I'd try my hand at these cookies a couple of weeks ago when my kiddos were craving snickerdoodles...ok, I lie...I was craving snickerdoodles. The boys were just happy to get their sugar rush on. This is the BEST cookie recipe and almost reminds me of those yummy Lofthouse cookies you buy at the grocery. You know the ones that melt in your mouth and are literally covered in icing that boasts a perfect circle. MMM! Ok, so try them!!!!

1c buttah
1 1/2 c sugar
2 lg eggs
2 3/4 c flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter, sugar, and eggs. Once combined mix your dry ingredients. Chill dough for about 15 minutes. Now, since these are normally a snickerdoodle cookie you scoop out a ball and roll them in cinnamon-sugar BUT I used the dough and rolled it out to about 1/2 in thickness and cut them in squares. I tried a cookie cutter but the dough is so buttery my body heat was making the dough too wet. I used a basic royal icing that I added some bittersweet chocolate too and then made a buttercream that I colored pink.

Buttercream:
1 c butter
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c powdered sugar

I cream my butter and vanilla then add the milk. Slowly add the powdered sugar so you aren't looking like a ghost from the first swirl!

Sit back with a yummy cookie and a tall glass of cold milk....ENJOY!

happy birthday grammy!

Yesterday my precious grandmother turned 78. She is one of those women that lives for family. She would do anything and everything for you without asking anything in return. Since she has everything under the sun and is hard to shop for, I decided to make her a frame.

Happy Birthday Grammy!

or grandmom, nannie, grandma