happy fall ya'll

I love the Fall; the crisp air, the colors of the leaves, etc.  The cold weather and shorter days that come with it?  Um, not so much.  

So, while I was hibernating yesterday, I was inspired to create a few things to celebrate the season of Fall. 

  

I also was in a playful mood, and created these little cuties:

   

I just LOVE how they all turned out!  I've got the Autumn one above the fireplace already, and the Thanksgiving one is waiting to debut on the 25th!  I also put a "Welcome to Our Home" print in our foyer.  It's warm and cozy and I just love the colors!

Joey and I also worked on jewelry ~ it has been way too long since I've really sat down at my desk and created.  It felt SO good!  Here's what I ended up with:

The one above are the colors of our school district.  We as a whole are known as the Caesar Rodney Riders, so I made this for my little Rider for her to wear on spirit days when they are supposed to show off their blue and gold!  GO RIDERS!

This gorgeous set is called, "Skyline Drive".  When I was little, my parents took us to Skyline Drive in Virginia, and we just loved the colors of the leaves and the sky.  As I was working with this set, I kept thinking about it and found it such a fitting name for this set.  Oh, and did I mention that the earrings GLOW IN THE DARK!?  Yes, they sure do!!  I'll get a picture of them on here soon!

Before I sign off here, I just wanted to show you what Joey put together as I was busy in the zone:

Gorgeous, no?  She has such an eye! This is such a proud momma moment. 

Well, I need to get outside and help Mr. J&C rake all these leaves that Sandy threw all over our yard ... ew, I hate yard work!

Until next time,

Subbing...

Not for the faint of heart.  Today is middle school.  These kids are bigger than me!  Earlier this week it was elementary school music teacher.  Did I mention I have ZERO rhythm?  Like, less than zero actually.

Anyway, lots of fun stuff coming up as I get ready for Joey's costume birthday party!  Except, somehow my Silhouette Cameo is NOT TURNING ON ... SHOOT. ME. NOW.  Any suggestions?  I'll leave you with a picture of Bee and Ellie dressed in their costumes ... any guesses which is which?

Until next time,

diy boa wreaths

Long time, no see!  Well, we are getting settled into the new house and couldn't be happier!  We love being back in Delaware and the feeling that we have come "home".  With Halloween creeping up on us, I began decorating as we were unpacking!  I love decorating for Halloween, and we have decided to host a costume party at the end of the month for Joey's birthday since we moved the weekend of her birthday!  So, today, I have a quick little tutorial on these SO cute and EASY boa wreaths!

I originally put up our Halloween wreath that I made years ago, but we have two front doors at this house, and so my old one just wouldn't do!  I couldn't imagine paying store prices for TWO wreaths, so I saw somewhere about using a boa to make a "feather" wreath, and my head started to spin with design ideas!

I ran to the nearest craft store, armed with coupons, and snagged up some black boas, styrofoam wreath forms, black felt and anything else I could find that was "halloweenish".  I must admit that I have no idea how to make a bow, so when I saw these pre~made bows at the craft store, I grabbed them!  

Ok, so here's what you need (per wreath):

• styrofoam wreath form
• 4 pieces of black felt, cut into strips (so the white of the wreath doesn't show through)
• stick pins (not pictured)
• 2 black boas 
• ribbon or pre~made bow
• Halloween decoration of your choice (mine are little fuzz balls dressed up to be an owl and bats)

Once you wrap your wreath form with the felt strips, just wrap your boas around it and pin it in place (at each end).  Stick your decorations in and put your bow on the top.  Add to your door and stand back and admire!

I just LOVE how these turned out and each took about 10 minutes to complete! So easy, pretty cheap, and best of all, the kids love them!  I hope you feel inspired to make your own boa wreath; if you do, I'd love to see them!

Linking up here: One Artsy Mama, Happy Hour Projects, Tatertots and Jello

Until next time,

pardon the dust...

pardon the dust and neglect on here ... we are in the process of moving and the packers are here packing everything up (def. a perk of being military!).  Tomorrow the movers come to pack the truck and deliver on Monday!  We move on Saturday and couldn't be more excited!  I already have some big plans for the new house and I can't wait to get started and share it with you!  So, please check up on me and wish me luck! 

teacher's pet

Is giving something to the new teacher a way of saying, "Hey! My kid is the best, and to prove it we I slaved over whipped up made you this!"  No?  You do it too, right?!  Well, last year we made Joey's kindergarten teacher a supply box filled with goodies that she would need all year, as well as some tasty treats!  This year, we are moving 10 days into the new school year, so I didn't want to go overboard for a teacher we're only going to see for a little bit, but I still think it's appropriate to start the year off with a little somethin', somethin'!  So, I slaved over whipped up made these cute little note cards that I think she will like - you know, for all those notes home letting us know how brilliant our daughter is.  ahem, maybe I'm a little biased?

Anyway, I have some for you too!  I'd love for you to follow me (click where it says, "Join This Site") and keep up with my ramblings, projects, and other life "things", and when you do, let me know and I'll send you a PDF of the note cards! 

Linking up here: One Artsy Mama, Craft-O-Maniac, DIY Home Sweet Home, Lines Across, Lil' Luna

 

Until next time,



lasagna cupcakes

Lasagna?  Yes, please.  Cupcakes?  Even better.  The other day, I teased you with the thought of lasagna cupcakes and the verdict is in...they were DELISH!  My husband ate 10 of them!  TEN!

Based on the recipe by Emily Bites, I adapted it for our dietary needs; I'm vegetarian, so I used meatless crumbles and I used ground turkey for Mr J&C.

This was so quick and easy, and definitely will be made again!

First, spray your cupcake pan with a little baking spray.  Then, line them with one wonton square and put a little spoonful of ricotta in each one.

Next, add your meat.

Top that with sauce and then sprinkle with mozzerella and parmesean.

Finally, repeat your layers beginning with the wonton square . . . I even made up a little jingle so I would remember the steps: wrapper, meat, sauce, cheese, cheese, repeat!  Once your second layer is on, it is time for the oven!  Bake at 375 for about 18-20 minutes and then let cool for about 5 minutes before taking out of the muffin pan.  I made all twelve (6 for me and 6 for Mr. J&C, but I only ate two and he ate the rest!).

Here's your ingredient list and recipe:

1/2 pound lean ground beef, turkey or meatless crumbles

1-1/2 tsp Italian seasoning

16 wonton wrappers {I found mine in the produce section by the lettuce bags}

4oz Ricotta cheese

1 cup pasta sauce

4 oz mozzarella cheese

1-1/2oz parmasean cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 and lightly mist your muffin tin with a cooking spray

2. In a skillet, add your meat and Italian seasoning until browned and cooked all the way through.

3. Push a wonton square into the bottom of each muffin cup and spoon your ricotta evenly into them.  I didn't mesure anything, so I just took a regular spoonful and dumped it in.

4. Add some meat.

5. Add some sauce.

6. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmasean over top.

7. Repeat layers, beginning with your wonton square.

8. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and let them cool down some before removing from the pan.

9. Enjoy this unusal take on lasagna!

Linking up here: I Heart Naptime, Tatertots and Jello, Sumo's Sweet Stuff

Until next time,



lasagna cupcakes? what what?!

Found this recipe via Emily Bites and just knew I had to give it a try!  I'm vegetarian and my husband is not, so this was super easy to adapt!
Tutorial and tasty verdict coming up soon!