Valentine's Day Heart Bunting

Even though it's early, I couldn't help myself.

Our house needed to be Valentined, and I happen to love that holiday.

My sweet little gray, white and pink bunting was really fun to make.

I used felt, buttons, ribbon, rhinestones and furry yarn.

But I'm still a little on the fence about where to put it.

Sorry.

I can't help myself when it comes to puns, either.


I linked up at Tatertots and Jell-O,  I Heart Naptime, Sew Chatty, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Craft Edition, Seven Thirty Three, Sisters Stuff, Finding Fabulous

6 Month Pictures

the official sweetest fella on the block

He never closes his mouth.

But I'm okay with that



because he's usually smiling



or chewing on something



or contemplating life.



And then he tells me all about it.

Journaling About My Children: A 2011 Goal

When I was newly married, a dear, sweet woman I knew from church told me that one day I'd probably have children.  

She then encouraged me to write down the precious, funny, silly and creative things that they would say and do. 

Not just the big stuff. I'd remember that anyway. 

"Write down the little things."

She has stacks of notebooks for each of her sons and they were filled with oodles of memories--some she would have otherwise forgotten.

So when my first son was born I decided that I would do the same, take a moment every few days and write down the tidbits of life... 

the small, sweet times that I didn't want to lose.

Well, the truth is I haven't been the best about sticking with it.

So I will share with you my hope for 2011...

to fill these beautiful journals with my little ones' daily quotes and deeds. 

I know I won't write every day, but I am setting aside time once a week to jot down a line or two for memory's sake.

PS: My journals came from Barnes and Noble this past summer,

but I tracked them down from the publisher, Chronicle Books. Click here and here if you're interested.

I think they are so beautiful.

In Between Laundry is on Facebook!

I started an In Between Laundry Facebook page and
I would LOVE it if you'd join the party.

Just click on that big F on the left.

And now it's time (way past time) to take down the pretties from Christmas.

Banana-Oatmeal Muffins with Peanut Butter Chips

My sincerest apologies to your resolutions.

Unless, of course, you've resolved to become a breakfast-time champ.

In which case, mission accomplished.

Banana-Oatmeal Muffins with Peanut Butter Chips

1/2 cup shortening or softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1 t. vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1/2 cup quick oats
1 cup peanut butter morsels

Cream the shortening (or butter) and the sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each. Mix in the bananas and vanilla. Sift the flour, salt and baking soda. Add, with oats, to the creamy mixture. Stir in the peanut butter morsels. Pour batter into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

My Top 10 for 2010

When I started this carnival ride I had no idea I'd enjoy it so much and neglect my household chores so frequently. 

Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Here are a few of your favorite things that I did in between laundry this year.

My Top Ten

#10 Chicken Fajita Chowder

#9 Scottie Dog Ornament

#8 Slow-Cooker Chocolate Cake

#7 Punkin-Tillas (my first ever post!)

#6 Mexican Crescent Wreath

#5 Sugar Scrubs

#4 Candy Cane Popcorn Bark

#3 Kitchen Progress (update coming soon!)

#2 Burlap Tie Wreath

#1 Chocolate Covered Twinkie Mummies

Happy New Year, everyone! 

2011 is going to be the best yet!

Free Printable: Kids' Fill-In-The-Blank Thank-You Notes

I am still recovering from a sleep-deprived perfect Christmas. It really was one of the best ever.

This was our first year to host Christmas Eve, and the first year our oldest was completely "into" Santa,  Christmas lights, decorating cookies... what joy!

*****

But I will say this,

Why didn't my husband start assembling the swing set/fort/rock wall/ slide BEFORE Christmas Eve?!

Oh mercy.

This old girl can't "do" all-nighters anymore.

*****

Here's a little project I whipped up to keep the kids busy while you recover, too.

If your little ones are just learning to write or if they have a hard time with knowing what to say in a thank-you note, a fill-in-the-blank approach will get their brains a-going.

Easy Thank-You's for the Kiddos

Happy New Year (2011 already... wowza!),

Last-Minute Gift Idea: Merri-mints Printable

The holidays are tons of fun, but can also be H-E-C-T-I-C (at least in my crazy house)!

Can I get an Amen?

Here's a fun print-and-take-the-cred project that I whipped up for an easy last-minute somethin-somethin to give.

How cute would this be to leave in the mailbox for the mailman?

They're Ice Breakers mints--all gussied up.

1. Print and cut out.

2. Peel off the label (try not to tear it) and put it aside. You'll need it in a little bit.

3.  Stick the label on your template and trace the slits so you can open the mints later. Now cut where you traced.

4. Glue the new label on. I didn't Mod-Podge, but you might want to.

Everyone will think you're so clever!

And you are!

Mwah!