New Item!

I have a new invitation up in my Esty Shop today.  I love this one and I hope you do to!! 

Etsy Esty Etsy!

I am so excited - crazy excited - I had my first Etsy sale!  I fully admit that when my phone dinged with an e-mail and I checked it I did a crazy, silly, slightly awkward dance in my kitchen.  I cannot wait for the second order! 

Check Out My Etsy Shop FireFly Designs

Please don't wipe your feet -jump over!

Hello ... new front door rug from Home Goods

HomeMade Cinnamon/Sugar Tortilla Chips

I made something yummy! The reason why I know they were yummy is because Conner, the pickiest eater on earth, loved them.  I made {cinnamon} {sugar} tortilla chips.  

 

Start off with tortillas - there is nothing homemade about these - Just bought these at the store.  I use the burrito size to get a good size chip. 

 

Mix cinnamon and sugar into a bowl.  I used approx. 1tbsp of each. 

 

 I use my kitchen scissors to cut the tortillas into pieces.  Kind of like cutting a pizza.  ( I do not cut pizza with scissors though, btw. - I don't think I have ever met anyone who does)

 

Fill a fry pan with vegetable oil, I use just a little over 1/2 cup.  Turn the heat to medium and let the oil heat up.  Be careful!! It will get hot.  I put the tortillas in for about 3-5 seconds on each side.  They will cook very, very quick.  I then transfer them to a glass casserole dish where I immediately sprinkle the chips with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.  Repeat this until all the chips are made.

  

ENJOY!

Washroom

One of the rooms in my house that I love is my downstairs powder room.  After the fire and the house was completely remodeled, the insurance company told me that I had to pick out paint for every room in the house.  I jokingly said can I pick a different color for each room - to which the contractor responded "you can pick a different color for each wall if you wanted to".  Whaaaa????? For serious?! I was in love.  I could finally paint the way I wanted every room to look and the husband couldn't complain because 1. He didn't have to pay for it and 2. he didn't have to do it. 

I love the color Tiffany Blue.  That is my happy color.  (Psssst Husband - Tiffany & Co. boxes are Tiffany Blue - the color really stands out with white gold - which is what should be inside said box) I knew immediately that the downstairs powder room was going to be Tiffany Blue and I didn't give a hoot what anybody was going to think. 

 Those cute little jars - found at an antique store for a whopping $12.  I did a happy dance all day when I bought them. 

Warning: Crooked picture taking.  Just tilt your head a little - all will be level then.

I found this cute shelf at Home Goods.  If you haven't been to Home Goods - shame on you.   The cuteness on the shelf are old telephone pole insulators that my father-in-law found and gave to me.  Do you think he is aware of my hoarding and did it to make the husband mad?  Maybe, maybe not - either way I love those things and I still have a bucket full of them! The little washroom sign - I kid you not I found at the dollar store.  

So that is my powder room painted my "happy place" color. 

Firefighter Lamp

As most of you know, Brandon is a firefighter and when we found out we were having a little boy (Lucas) it was an unspoken agreement that his room would be firefighter themed.  I have one talented husband let me tell ya.  He had this old extinguisher in the house (in his office which is now Luke's room to be exact) and he decided he needed to do something more with it.  He made it into this lamp and it is now one of my favorite pieces in the house.  

 

I love to think that one day Lucas will be bringing this lamp to his very own home.  Specially made for him from his Dad. 

A Life Motto

About 3 years ago when I decided to go back to school, I was a little nervous.  I felt as if the journey I was about to embark on was maybe just a little crazy.  Even for me.  I reached out to the person that always seems to have the best advice on ..well everything.  My Dad.  My Dad is probably the smartest person I have ever met.  He's really lived his life and has a way of putting things into perspective for me.  

I reached out to him via e-mail.  With him living in England, the time difference can sometimes get the best of us.  I had asked him if what I wanted was to far fetched, if it was unattainable and just a dream that I should keep as just a dream.  His reply to me hit home - it made complete sense, not just for school, but for everything.  It became my life's motto.  Thank you, Dad - sometimes words can change someone's life. 

That very day I wrote my Dad's quote inside my binder.  Every day that I opened it I was reminded.  That reminder got me through some tough days.  I'm still on the journey with college.  It might be a very long time until I'm done, but at least I can say that there will be a day that I will finish. 

Brand New (old) Table

The Husband has been busy today! I've always wanted a pub table in the eat-in portion of our kitchen, but I didn't want to part with our oak round pedestal table because 1. it was our first kitchen table and 2. we received from a very special relative that is no longer with us.  I'm kind of sentimental in that way.  The Husband calls it hoarding - I call it .... well I don't call it hoarding! 

ANYWAYS - He took on the project this morning of turning the table into a pub table and he did an ahmayzingggg job.  I'm lovin everything about it. 

Now, I'm going to walk you through step by step on how this fantastic idea is played out. 

1.  First step is to unbolt the table top from the base and measure the diameter of the base. 

2. Then you decide how tall you want your pub table to be.  We went 6 inches taller and with that we can accommodate 24-26in countertop stools for seating

3.  Ok, in order to add the height, you're going to need some wood. :)  The Husband used untreated pine that he bought at Home Depot for approx $11.  He bought a 2x10x8ft piece.  He didn't use it all - but that just means he can save the rest for another project!  He also had Home Depot cut it into 10 in pieces.  

4.  Trace the top of the base on to one of 10 in pieces of wood.  Repeat this 4 times in order to add 6 inches onto your table.  Then use a jigsaw (one of my favorite tools ) to cut out the piece that you traced.  Do this for all 4 pieces.  

5. After you have your four cut outs, you then screw each piece separately onto the base.  Use an inch and 5/8ths deck screw.  Use four per cutout.  Remember when you are screwing on each piece separately to offset your screws. 

6. After you have all four pieces secured it's time to get your sanding on.  Use your sander to smooth out the edges.  

7. Time to Paint! Paint or stain it the same color as your base.  We decided to paint the table with two colors.  The base color is black and the table top is a vintage red.  We used normal wall paint, but we sealed it with a semi-gloss clear lacquer. 

8. Final Step!  After your paint and seal is dry the last step is to pre-drill and use 4 inch screws to secure the table top back on the base.

TA-DA! You have a new (old) table! 

Obviously, I typed this up - not The Husband - so if you should have any questions, throw me a comment and I will get him to give you a more technical answer.

Snow Day Part Deux

Snowed some more last night... boys were ready to go this morning.  There was shoveling to be done! As I was taking pictures of my little humans doing hard labor ( I paid accordingly with eggs and toast when they were done ) I received a message from my Dad saying that he was playing in the snow too! Although his version of playing in the snow is quite different. 

Austrian Alps

My Dad is in the Austrian Alps for the weekend skiing.  In my entire life I don't think I have ever heard of my Dad skiing.  I'm concerned for his safety... well I'm more concerned for the safety of all the other skiers around him.  It's true. :)  Have fun Dad! Stay upright! 

Well not as exciting as the Austrian Alps, but the boys did have fun. 

 

These boys - make picture taking easy. 

SNOW!

Snow has FINALLY arrived in our parts of Illinois and Luke was so stinkin excited to get outside. 

Oh, Blue Eyes, My Love

We don't shovel no stinkin driveways! We shovel the front yard, apparently.  

Love, Love, Love that smile. 

Baby Fever

So I'm having a little bit of baby fever.  It's nothing new - been there for at least 2 years.  I'm constantly in negotiations with Brandon about having another baby. Every time I say the word "baby" the man fakes a heart attack to distract me.  I'm thinking that we need to try for a little girl...

See doesn't he look like a guy that would be such a good Daddy to a little girl?

Now don't get me wrong - boy or girl - I'm good either way.  Just need some new little feet around here.  Feel free to drop my husband a line to plead my case.  Majority wins, right?  The man acts like he just met me and has no clue that eventually I always win and get my way. **cue maniac laugh**

Welcome To The Jungle

Last week my little peanut niece, Brooklynn Mae, turned 3.  3?!!? It's hard to believe.

As you can see - not my best look, cut me some slack I was up all night waiting for her to arrive! 

 We went from little peanut to just a little bigger peanut

 

My sister-in-law, Stacy, planned a great 3rd birthday party! It was a jungle theme and she went all out as usual and everybody enjoyed it!  This lady can put a kids party together like no one's business. 

{Ok so I was 3 hours late due to a dodgeball tournament - you will just have to wait for that post to find out what in the world I was doing at a dodgeball tournament}

The decorations were so stinkin cute and yes I am wearing my safari hat as I write this post.  Just ask The Hubs - he told me how huge of a dork I am. 

Love that messy frosting face! 

So my Brookie Mae turned 3 and just keeps getting cuter by the second.  I am one lucky Auntie Mimi. 

How does he nap like that?

Found this little nugget taking a little before dinner snooze like this tonight

 

It makes me giggle looking at the pictures again.  He napped like that for a good 20 minutes.  

Girls Night Out

 

You know you want one! Or two. Or Weekend. 

A great friend owns a company by the name of Bachelorette Nashville and it is so deliciously fantastic.  Their specialty is bachelorette party planning, but they also can do a girls night out! Right 

 up my alley! 

Can you go wrong with a pink Hummer limo?! I think not! 

 

The best part.. are you ready for it... here it is...

The are located in NASHVILLE!!

If you are going to have a bachelorette party or a girls night out - who wouldn't want it in Nashville! Everybody loves Nashville! 

Check them out on facebook

 

 

Not Really Jumbalaya

 I recently read a recipe (and no it wasn't from pinterest - I know..shocking) and it was a really yummy sounding jumbalaya recipe.  I was at a lost at what to make for dinner tonight and I was to lazy to take the drive to the store after just getting home from work.  I was looking around in the pantry and realized that I had "most" things for the jumbalaya recipe.  So with that I came up with my "Not Really Jumbalaya" recipe.

Ingredients:


1 tbsp olive oil
2-3 cups white rice (depends how many you are serving)
1 Green Bell Pepper - chopped
1 Red Pepper - Chopped
A package of  Gardinera stuffed Italian sausage  - cut into about 1 inch pieces
1 24oz can of tomato sauce
1 can of green chilles
1 can of diced tomatoes


1. Cook Rice - set aside
2. In a large pan warm the olive oil, then add the chopped green pepper, chopped red pepper, and the sausage - brown the sausage and soften the peppers
3. Once that is cooked - add the tomato sauce, green chilles, and diced tomatoes - bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the rice - stir up
5. Serve & Enjoy!!!

 I also made biscuits (not by hand, they're pillsbury - lol not that good at cooking) because my 3 guys love biscuits.  But, I made them with a little twist.  Before putting them in the over I spread a little EVOO over the top and then sprinkle some garlic salt on.  Turned out delish!

Soon to Be 50 and Fab!

  I'm starting to plan my Mom's 50th birthday in March with the help of my amazing family.  My sister-in-law and best friend, Stacy, have been scouring pinterest for some great ideas.  But, when I sat down at my computer tonight all I could think of was... I don't want my Mom to turn 50.  It's not that I think 50 is old.. far from it, it just means that my Mom is getting older and that thought scares me a little.  But, let me tell you - my mom makes 50 look GOOD! I can only hope she passed all the good genes down to me.  I think sometimes we can take for granted that our parents will always be around, and I, and I'm sure I'm not alone, cannot imagine a life without my Mom and Dad.  My Mom has always been there and now that I'm older I have realized that she has been my ultimate best friend my entire life.  I put her through some tough times and I'm sure there were times where she wished anyone else in the world was her daughter - but she has loved me unconditionally and without fail.  I can't wait to see her enjoy herself at this party - I can't wait for her to see how much love we are going to put into it.  This lady deserves the absolute best.  I just wish the years weren't passing by so fast and that time can slow a little.  Make each day count - 50 years passes by quick. 

The Many Faces Of Lucas

For Christmas I received this beauty...

It is the Sony A57.  I am in love. Like looooooove, love.  So of course, I have been going picture crazy - and I am crazy happy that a certain 5 year old that I know loves to be my test model. 

I bring to you - The Many Face Of Lucas.....

He is hilarious.  I asked him to constantly stop whatever he is playing with to pose for me so I can test all the different settings on the new camera and he is more than happy to help out Mommy! On the contrary, I cannot tell you how many times my husband has said, " Honey I am very happy you like your new camera, but please stop taking pictures and put that thing away."  Ha Never!! 

New Year! New Look! New Blog!!

Happy New Year! (ok so I am a few days late, better late than never!)  This blog received a New Years makeover! We are ready to tackle 2013 and really focus on our newly titled blog, "3 Guys & A Gal".  I'm excited to get started!