Im up and running

{so glad to have my very own computer back, it was like losing a limb}

Blast

The word that came out of my mouth when the computer GuRu left my house on Friday... My HARD DRIVE IS WHAT? GONE!!!! BLAST! How do I recover the files I need? What about all the pictures? What do I do, I need my recipes, addresses, resumes, and PICTURES!!!

So the good : is I get a new Hard drive, for free because my computer is still under warranty for 30 more days. Whew!

The bad: I have to pay someone to recover my hard drive and it is really expensive. If any of you readers know anyone who can do this do tell!

So I am typing on my husbands computer and the letter M is always stuck... I can't wait till my computer is back in order.....

Fabric Memory Game

I love this former Martha Stewart Art Directors Blog called INCHMARK...
It is almost perfect in its simplicity...
Already I want to make this fabric memory card game, I love the colors and patterns!
Click Here for her how to

Pay It Forward

The Rules

1. Be one of the first Three (3) bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me.

2. Winners, you must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!

3. The gift that you send to your three Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!

4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love!If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Post it on your blog; start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same!I will leave a list of names who were the first 3 on my blog as soon as I receive them!I have no clue what it is I will make you, lets see who the winners are first.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

I love Valentines Day, OK so I love every holiday, but how can you not love a holiday about love, and hearts and cut out cookies.... like these...Hot Pink sparkly Beauties?

And Then we made these fun Valentines for those we love, like Grandma and Grandpa and especially Jamie..

And my Mom and Dad stopped by to shower us with huge cookies and huge suckers and balloons!

And then Jamie came home and brought me Flowers, which I prefer over all else. These are simple but pretty and classic don't you think?

And then I went to get ready because I was going on a Date, and I wanted to look pretty!

And we had Crab Legs, and Talked, and danced the night away, OK we didn't dance,but we did go to a movie, even if it was Mall Cop because we didn't get our tickets early enough. But it was funny and we laughed. And we ran into some friends and they decided to join us! It made it even better...

If I dare say so myself, It was a really nice Day! I hope you had a nice one too!
{and did you see I cut my hair?}

I love it

Today I bought a Magic Bullet! Not because you can have friends over for daiquiri's and they can have their own colored ring on the bottom of their cup! That makes me laugh.... {i hope you have seen the infomercial so you get what I am talking about} Oh no, I bought it because it can make protein shakes and smoothies, and its just the right amount, you can chop things, and make salsa, and fresh sauces. It says it does any job in 10 seconds or less. And I see the infomercial every morning at the gym, and well, I'm sold on it, and I have wanted it forever! OK for a few months maybe. But now it is mine! Anyone want a smoothie?

Chocolate Silk Pie

Every other Sunday we have dinner with my family. I love this tradition because we are all so busy and rarely together. I mean all of us, my siblings, some spouses, and my parents all under the same roof. It is always a fun evening with great food, and games, always games...
I also love it because I just have to make a side or dessert. I love planning what to make for these dinners. This week I decided to make this chocolate cream pie with a homemade crust. {and yes I made chocolate curls too!}

{picture from the pioneer woman}
I loved the crust and wasn't crazy about the filling {the texture to me was off}. My family devoured it anyways! But I had to share this pie crust recipe link with you because it is a no fail recipe. And it was my favorite part!
Click here to get the recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks Blog {she does it step by step, so you won't fail I promise!} And seriously It really looks like the picture, flaky and pretty! Enjoy!

Changes

Just a quick note, I had the longest list of links on the bottom of my blog. I have been meaning to organise them into categories. I finally did it! Friends and Family are still on the bottom, and Design and Food Blogs are on the right side. {in the process i accidentally erased a couple of blogs i didn't intend to if you are missing please let me know}

Menu of the week

{photo from stephmodo}

How many times a week do you find yourself thinking what will I make for dinner? I found myself in that very situation last night. I wanted something innovative, healthy and visually satisfying... A hard bill to fit sometimes . Unless you plan ahead...

I always have wanted to menu plan, and sometimes I do, but how great would it be to have your list for the week and have everything you need on hand? This is where I usually go wrong. I always make too many grocery runs and still sometimes forget a crucial ingredient.

I read the blog Stephmodo everyday, because she is really creative and has great ideas... And this morning she posted her menu... with recipes and pictures... You should check it out too! Especially this recipe for homemade Potesto Pizza!

What I am reading

So far it is pretty clever and fun to read. And who needs to read anything serious right now? Things are far too serious for my taste. Besides, the film comes out next week and I love to read the books before I see the film. {And secretly I am a wanna-be shopaholic}

Accent colors

Every good room needs an accent color. I love the use of tone on tone in Interior design especially when paired with shades of white. These rooms are so awesome on so many levels. But I especially love that the accent color is baby blue. {those of you who know me really well may roll your eyes here as you know I love these colors} Before Jamie and I tied the knot and made our cross country move to Utah we contemplated moving to Charleston SC and I would start my own Interior Design Business there. It would be the perfect place for me as I love the ocean inspired interior design and I love love Historical Design. Anyways the hope is not lost it just might take us a while to get there. I found a Blog that I love, of a darling Interior Designer from Charleston and these pictures are from her Blog Click Here.. It is called Pink Wallpaper
You should check her out!

Centerpeice

Eddie Ross has done it again, and with carnations? Not usually my favorite flower but isn't this centerpiece amazing? I love everything about it, its simplicity, and especially the vintage milk glass pedestals. The pink candles add a fun touch, I am thinking great birthday party centerpeice, or even wedding! If anyone is wondering what to buy me ever {like you james watson..}, its these pedestals! I just love them! Check out his post here!

{photos from Eddie Ross}

Ryan at 2 1/2

Loves to play superhero and run with his cape on up and down the hallway

Likes Juice and would rather drink then eat all day long

Loves to sing songs and read books

Is a pro at starting his own bath and stripping down before I even get upstairs, I have to be careful if I say its tubbie time, because he takes me seriously...

Gets is his highchair if he is hungry and sits there waiting

Has to go to bed with three blankies, two choo choos, and a cup of water every night and nap time..

Loves choo choo trains and the show mickey mouse club house, if I turn on something else he lets me know that it is not his show of choice.

Loves Turkey sandwiches and will not eat any other lunch meat except tuna. He will get out the mayo to let me know he wants one, and brings it to me even if i am upstairs

Which brings me to share that he is very independent....and knows exactly what he wants

He loves to brush his teeth and have his hair blown dry and styled, oh and he loved chapstick too!

Loves company especially girls and if someone comes over he thinks they came to play with him, I guess all his aunts have spoiled him rotten { and we love them}

loves to talk on the phone

makes huge messes in a short amount of time

is so sweet when he wakes up in the morning and searches for me for his morning hug

I just love this kid!

Recently

I have:

Made valentine crayon hearts and hung them on our window {of course ryan helped}

Filled my heart bowl with cinnamon hearts

Uploaded songs on my I-Pod that I received for my birthday last April and has been sitting in my dresser drawer for 10 months, its about time.... my fave songs so far Black Eyed Peas Hey-Ya, I love that song.. And every one of Chicagos greatest hits, some dixie chicks, the beatles and enya {don't judge, I am just getting started}

Found a paint color I love for my kitchen chairs... I will post color {bright green} I might change my mind if the fabric sample I ordered does not match...

Made risotto with grilled shrimp- It was Divine and for another night made apple dumplings for a dinner party and they were a huge success to get the recipe HERE warning make these for a large group and they will think you are amazing and they are soooo easy!

I Attended a baby shower and found a great book to give the mom to be: Stories for little boys , and the Illustrations are beautiful!I found it at the cutest baby boutique in Alpine Ohh LA LA... They have the cutest things..

Watched the Superbowl for 10 minutes total and spent the rest of the time talking to the ladies about organic dairy products, husbands and how much they help or the lack of, and parenting toddlers 101. It was great, thanks Tonya for the fun party!

We Took down Ryan's Crib {ok I didnt help at all} and put it away in the basement, I actually shed a few tears during the process, can't they stay babies forever?

He loves his Big Boy Bed and it has been a smooth transition.. {but i can't help but wish i had another one to put right back in it}

{first nap on his big boy bed... he didn't get out once!}

Ate shrimp tacos grilled with honey butter here on a lunch date with my hubby you should try it!

Have started using the stair stepper at the gym and have fallen in love with it

Have recently acquired a treadmill and I am really excited about using it, it needs one part that Jamie has ordered and is on its way!

Have a couple of fun parties to plan, one is a surprise party for my Dad, he is turning 60 in a couple of months and we could use your party ideas! Shhhhhh It has to be a rockin success...

Enjoyed Jamie's many days off... work has been slow {not a good thing} but the silver lining is we have taken Ryan on some fun day trips like Jump On It, both father and son loved it! They Jumped for over an hour straight!

Planning a trip to Southern California in April, I am excited to make my list of things to do! I want a sprinkles cupcake, pinkberry, visit a few LA spots and to have a dinner party on the beach in Laguna... Hmmm what to serve?

Have convinced Ryan that Juice watered down heavily is much better then actual juice.

Have a fun dinner group planned for February, this one involves couples! stay tuned

Need to plan Valentines day on a budget... I seriously hate budgets!

Went to the Gateway with my friends and lunched at the Dodo

{i love these girls} alisha,tina,em, harmony