9 good things.

A Spelling Bee good job cake!

There have been so many good things going on in our neck of the woods lately.  My girls, Cici and Nini, took part in their first ever spelling bee contest this week!  I am so so so proud of them (did I happen to mention how proud of them I am!?)  This was one of those things they could choose to do or not at school, but at home, I felt that it was something they had to at least try to do.  They didn't object, making our decision to have them try, a lot easier!

Saying goodbye to Bessie

We said goodbye last month to our dear beloved mini-van - lovingly named Bessie. We traveled over 125,000 miles in her, in two countries, and at least 15 states.  She survived two accidents, two sets of twins, too many stops to McDonald's, and all the abuse a family of six could throw at her!  Our new mini-van hasn't been named yet, we love her, but we need to wear her in a little more to give her a name.

Ice Cream cone balloons with party hats.

Dixie cup and pom pom yarn sundae's and envelope lanterns.

 My calling as RS 2nd counselor has taken me through many activities.  We don't quite have an activities leader yet, so I and the 1st counselor are charging-up the activities for now.  January was something we named The Visiting Teaching Banana Split Event!  I loved the Ice Cream Cone Party Hat Balloons and the Dixie Cup Yarn Sundae's as decorations!  I don't have time to give all the details, but if you are interested in this idea for your ward, email me at shecalledme@gmail.com!

Hawk loving his Thomas PJ's

Christmas seems like ages ago!  We had a lovely and relaxing Christmas with Mr. C staying home the entire week.  We ate, wrapped and unwrapped presents, took drives, ate, watched movies and all that really good relaxing family time.  Mr. T and Hawk got into the spirit of opening presents this year.  Hawk's favorite were these Thomas Train Engine PJ's - he truly couldn't wait to put them on!

Nini's best hug!

This photo reminds of the great joy I am having at watching my little girls grow-up.   They are so incredible!

Favorite Christmas Photo

 Honestly, this photo is my absolute favorite!  The look on Nini's face and anticipation at what her sister would think of the gift Nini bought Cici - is just beautiful!  I love these girls :)

Smartie Pants teacher gifts.

You are "Mint" to be our teacher gifts.

I couldn't help myself this year!  I had to put together some of those cute pinterest teacher appreciation gifts.  I put a ton of smarties into a clear jar and put a little sign on the lid Thanks for turning ___________ into a smartie pants!  The Junior Mint appreciation gift we gave to the girl's piano teacher!

Me and Loan!

 Our sweet friend came from Virginia to see our family again!  We love Loan and have enjoyed her sweetness in our lives since Craig met her on his mission in Washington DC (she was 5) and later I met her when she was 11.  We are very grateful she still loves us after all these years!!!

 Here's the big questions:

Do you name your cars?

216 photos to one: a christmas card in the making.

It took 216 photos, approximately 100 sneers, oopses, sit downs, stop movings, and stop making faces - to get the photo that we used on the front of our Christmas cards this year.  Like last year, I was hoping on using our Happy Holidays signs, but we couldn't get the boys to even set it in their laps this year.  So we improvised and took it with a varying of antique chairs we had in our home.  My tripod was the photographer and my MIL held the photo button down.  The rocking chair on the far right was my grandfather's - quite the treasure in our home! 

The Making of our Christmas Card.



I used Cici to set up the shot.  This one turned out beautifully!



The next step was to get all our kids in their chairs and Craig and I
would come behind them.  By the time Craig and I came around, the
boys were already running away.

I thought that we would try these signs again this year.  Cici and Nini
weren't cooperating (although cute) and the boys wouldn't have it.



We tried several times to take this shot of Craig and I behind us, but
Mr. T wasn't having it.



The girls and I wait for Craig to get Henry who had escaped.



We had everybody settled in their chairs, but just as we were taking a
few good shots, Henry came over to see Mommy!



I totally forgot about this.  First this wasn't me - really!  Hawk had just
done his business - We should have used this on the back our cards
for our annual photo outtake!



There are at least 10 photos of Mr. T honking Craig's nose!

  

Almost there! 



This one made the cut! 

How many photos did it take for your cover Christmas photo?!

Whoever has the highest number wins!

I hope you have a very wonderful holiday!

Merry Christmas

from Michelle

@ a happy heart blog :)

Christmas Decorations.

Dining room table red tree and candle sticks with ribbon around chandelier.

The great thing about photographs is that it doesn't show the mess outside of the photos.  I am finally feeling better, with more energy; but while I was sick, not much cleaning went on in our home.  I did manage to have my husband get out the Christmas boxes and I got to work setting up our decorations.  As long as I didn't have to eat, or clean - I was OK!



Target Berry wreath over mantle (purchased last year)



New decoration:  Simplify Christmas wood frame w/ stencil - love these colors!



Stocking were hung on a ladder this year!
This is more kid safe than hanging it from
our fireplace mantle.  I think Santa can
still find them!



This is our living room with our Christmas tree, we waited to put the star on the tree, because Craig had to go out of
town and we didn't get time to put it up.  He's back and tonight we'll finish decorating the tree!



Last year's card holder was left in our basement and well, ruined.
This one I repurposed from on old mirror and frame.  I took
out the mirror and replaced with canvas and put cork contact paper
on it.  Then a decoupaged fun Christmas paper around it and finished
it with some ribbon.



Our main mantle in living room.

 

A new decoration:  I'm not sure I like this yet, but it was made
with shatterproof ornaments and glitter snowflakes.  I got the idea from
pinterest (where else, of course!)

 

This is the girl's little Christmas Tree.  This is my absolute favorite decoration
with their little presents made out of legos!  So sweet.  They had so much fun
putting this together.



Do your kids get along while playing with legos?

What is your favorite decoration in your home?
Have you found any new decor using Pinterest?

Have you ever cropped your photos so the "mess" doesn't show?!

Tree lighting and Advent Calendar.

 

Tree lighting 



Life in New England right now is pleasant and on the warmer side.  We had a huge winter storm right before Halloween, but you wouldn't know.  All the snow is gone and we haven't seen much of any snow since (which I am more than OK with!)  We headed down to our town's common area for our annual tree lighting ceremony.  Apparently, the pine tree they planted long ago is now too big for the town funds to handle, so they are asking for donations! I'm not sure I'm telling you this, but it was just an interesting anecdote to add! 



All-in-one advent Idea.



I have been searching and researching various advent calendars.  There seems to be one for every theme: scripture advent, Christ advent, candy advent and so on.  I decided that instead of using one of the advent calendars this year I would combine the ones I liked into one.  I picked a scripture advent, service advent, and gift advent.  We have a scripture we read and a service we perform almost daily.  I say "almost" because the ages of my children don't always allow us to "enjoy" the advents contents.  I am hoping someday, we will be more active on the service part of the advent, listen and discuss the scriptures, and enjoy the little presents inside.  Someday, is more like some-days, but it's still fun to have choices. 

 I used a target shoe organizer for the advent.  The red leaves were stenciled on randomly with fabric paint.  I used magnets to secure the little number tags (one inside and one glued to the number tag).   It was pretty simple, just time consuming!  Would love to hear more about your advent ideas and let me know if you decide to use the all-in-one concept!  Email me if you would like the word created tags at shecalledme@gmail.com.

What advent do you use?

What is your favorite advent memory?!

    Family Update:    

The boys are now two years old!
We just put up our Christmas Tree

and

Michelle just finished putting together

her last RS activity of the Year! whew!

Time to decorate the rest of our own home :)

Chalkboard Mantle Sign.

My Halloween Mantle!

Two days of pure fall, beautiful weather has inspired me to finish a few projects I started, but didn't finish.  I needed a day of no rain so that I could paint - but honestly, there hadn't been any for a long time!  This is my mantle right now, real time!  I know every place I've purchased each of these items; from Utah to California to Montreal and now here in New England.  It's really fun to remember each place we've lived and where we purchased these fun holiday decorations - it's a little like christmas ornaments!

The mantle sign I made with an old antique board and chalkboard spray paint.   I didn't prime it, which was on purpose.  I wanted the imperfections of the wood and grain to show through.  I did spray paint over it several times to make sure I could write over the paint.  Once dry, it was ready for whatever I wanted to write on it!  I even hung it up myself :)

Here's the project in Pinterest fashion:

Do you find holiday decorations to bring as many memories as ornaments?
What is your favorite Halloween decoration?  From where?

Are you having b-a-u-tiful fall weather?

Bits and Pieces of every kind!

Theo is set for his Hydrocele surgery on Wednesday.  This mom is freaking out - seriously.  It's not supposed to be a difficult surgery, again, it's the anethesia that I don't like.  Seeing him completely out of it will be hard.  I would glady do this for him - but unfortunately - I just don't have the same bits as hiM!

Memorial Day

Veronika and Elise particpated in their school's Memorial Day concert again this year.  This time we were honoured to hear both of them play Yankee Doodle on the recorder.  They were both fantastic - especially in thier home made patriotic dresses from me!  On the morning of memorial day they were able to sing a few songs from their school concert and participate in a parade.

 

Parents Vist

My parents came into town a few weeks ago.  It's not an occassion that happens very often - so we took full advantage of it.  We dedicated ourselves to spending some quality shopping time together!  We had a lot of fun visiting all the consignment stores in our area- as you can see we all found something!

 

I really do not like this photo of me, but have long learned that photos aren't always about me!  I love this photo of my dad and I together.  We don't seem to have too many recorded photos, and am certain that this will be one I will cherish -at least when I get over myself!

Birthday

I had a wonderful 38th birthday!  It was a lot of fun being taken out for dinner and being treated to a weekend away -when we can do it.  I love this photo of the girl's giving me their cards.  This is such a common scene at our home right now - everyone most important to me is right here!

Piano Time

I have been sitting down at the piano whenever I can and letting the boys join me.  It will be a fantastic day when all four of my children can play a musical instrument.  My girls still are not too interested in the piano - but I keep trying!

May photo fo the month.

Memorial Day Parade 2011



Tater Tots and green salt.

Tator tots and green salt

Food

Tator Tots with green dyed salt - a true culinary classic!  We bought into celebrating St. Patrick's Day a couple of years ago when I received a little package from my sister. It was filled with fun items all geared around this green holidays.   I have two main memories that accompany this holiday:  One was of my mother making corned beef and soda bread and the other of being pinched!  I remember clearly that if anyone wore red this day -they would get pinched.  Mr. C thinks I made this part up - but honestly, it was a memory!  Past or present, the one thing that is certain, green, is the color of the day...  



Pistaccio/lime jello dessert w/ coin cookies

  We ended our evening with a fun and light green dessert made with the following yummy ingredients:

2 pkg. green lime jello (sugar free)

1 pkg. pistaccio pudding (sugar free)

1 tub of cool whip (light)

Prepare the two packages of jello in one container as directed and refridgerate until set.  Remove from refridgerator once the jello is set and add one container of cool whip light and one pkg of pistaccio sugar free pudding.  Mix together.  Add to individual containers, or leave in large bowl and serve later.

As a fun topper, I used Pillsbury sugar cookies and added yellow food coloring to the dough to make it look like gold.  I separated the dough into small balls and pressed them down before baking.  I added the little heart as my own little Happy Heart touch!



we also had get pinched st patty's day cookies.




sour creme and horsradisch dip
w/ our corned beef



Dubliner Cheese and Tomato Balsamic bread crusts.



 These were really yummy.  I headed to the store to find Bruschetta, but couldn't find it at our local grocery store.  Instead, I used:

1 can italien stewed chopped tomatoes

2 TBSP olive oil

1 TBSP balsamic vinegar (maybe a tad more to taste)

1/2 tsp garlic and 1/2 tsp onion powder (maybe a little more)

I cut-up one baggette and spooned the tomatoe dip on top of each and a slice of Dubliner Cheese.  I put it in the oven on broil - low until cheese was melted.



Dubliner cheese.



Have you ever dyed your salt green?

Do you like cheese? 
Do you love jello or hate it?!

Mom's Artistic Photo Phriday.

Mom's you carry that camera with you to birthdays, church, soccer practice, out to eat, and shopping - to name a few. Join me on Phridays (or Fridays) for an artistic interpretation of Mom's view of the world.

Did you know that Leprechauns can write?  Nini made sure to set the trap on St. Patrick's Day Night to see if she could catch the big L's making mischief throughout our home.  It wasn't a shock when we woke up to find that the goodies we used to try to catch them were eaten and this fine note left for us.  I think it says it all.  This was my artistic impression of St. Patrick's Day.  Here's another artistic impression of this holiday taken in 2008 when I had more time and felt a lot more creative. Check out the post HERE. 



I'm a messy cook!



Next weeks assignment:  Tell me how you feel about Spring arriving!  For example:  You have been desperate to stop wearing your boots and just brought out your favorite flats - take a photo of them.  Is your yard blossoming yet - take a photo!  If you join me, make your own Mom Phriday Photo post and link to a happy heart blog. Leave me a comment so your fellow artist mom's can look at your work -you photo-tastic mommy photographer you!

***Please remember that photos should be your own and the content G-rated, do I even need to say this!

Do you have a St Patrick's Day tradition?

Are you a messy cook?