Warm and Stylish Headbands!

Dear Diary,
Are you ready for winter wonderland?  Since the weather STILL isn't cold enough to bundle up, I've had enough time to figure out how to look stylish when that weather finally arrives.  Crocheting has always 'tickled my fancy' but I never had time to master the craft.... until now!


Introducing the DagSisters warm Headband! If you know a little about crocheting, you will be able to make this. My first headband took me about 2 days to complete, but now I've cut the time down to less then half!

Homemade Pickles! *Guest Blogger*

Dear Diary,

A home garden is a perfect way to grow spices and red peppers for my pickles mixture. It also adds flowers to the middle of winter during its darkest days. The rose has now bloomed; the Christmas cactus will soon flower; the coleus never ceases to amaze me. In the spring, I look at a dead flower pot and think, “what should I plant here?” Then the coleus starts to grow as if to say, “Ha! fooled ya again.” - Marianne

For the Love of Breakfast... Protein Pancakes!

Dear Diary,

I LOVE Breakfast!  Just the word makes my mouth water and makes me warm and fuzzy inside!  Breakfast is had between people who love each other and people who are close.  Mostly breakfast is eaten in the comforts of our own home.  If not, it might be after a sleepover, in pajamas and before you brush you teeth.  Even if we meet someone at a restaurant for breakfast, we are still fresh from our dreams with a whole day ahead of us.  If its an acquaintance you are meeting, do brunch.

Yummy Oreos Treats

Dear Diary,

I am concerned that I have not *clicked* yet with some of you.  Maybe you're not the 'crafty' type who gets excited by my cork board.  You may not have kids so the motherhood stuff isn't doing it for you.  You might not even be into apple picking.  But this post is sure to *click* with everyone! We will finally be united as one! Why? Because EVERYONE LOVES OREOS!  When is a more perfect time to bake with Oreos than the holidays?  These recipes can be made with your children.... they can mix with their hands! I made it a whole fun filled day with my cousin Allison (shout out!)... I will share some Holiday recipes which all include delicious Oreos! I feel my sweet tooth already creating a cavity... but I don't care!

The Art of the Scarf

Dear Diary,

Tis the season... to get out your scarves!  I used to think that scarves were mostly just something to warm my neck.  My mom wouldn't let us leave the house during the winter without moon boots lined with plastic baggies, a hat (not earmuffs!) and a scarf.  My mom would wrap the giant knit scarf around my whole head and face with just my eyes peeping

Time... Saving Some Every Day!

Dear Diary,

What’s the hottest commodity to any busy woman?  Time! If only we had more hours in the day.  We spend much of our time keeping the house together.  If we added up the minutes, they turn into hours and ultimately years of our life spent sorting socks, loading the dishwasher and sweeping the floor.  What if we just had a few extra hours a day? What amazing things could we do?  I compiled some things that I have made into my regular routine that over the last few years have saved me time and sanity!

The Joys of Motherhood

Dear Diary,

A discussion at my moms' group mentioned the feeling of motherhood and the changes it has brought to our lives.  Every mom vented their emotions, stress, and exhaustion but, we didn't fail to make sure we finished on a happy note. The conversations we had made me wonder: How have I changed as a person and interpersonally? How do I feel about myself day to day? Have I been empowered as both a person and a woman?

DIY Corkboard!

Dear Diary,

I had an amazing picture frame at my wedding reception and I took it home afterwards.  It seemed a little too big for one photo, so instead I made it into a fun cork board and pinned fun things inside.

Pumpkin Carving Party... a fun tradition!

Dear Diary,

When life gives you pumpkins, throw a pumpkin carving party! That's what we do this time of year.  It has been a long standing tradition for my mother and father in law who host a big carving party.  For years, they have set up in the "shop" where there is plenty of space to spread out and get comfortable.  If some pumpkin guts get on the floor, no biggie!  Plus we have access to tools and props from the shop and anything is game for creating a pumpkin masterpiece.  Wire is always a helpful accessory.  Rubber tubing and spray paint is cool too!

Big Fat Letters!... a mod podge photo project

Dear Diary,

Last week was Parker June's 2nd birthday- Parker is my niece.  What should we do for her birthday? Like many 2 year olds, Parker has plenty of toys and clothes... plus, she will soon be a big sister so they need room for the new baby.  This was a perfect oppurtunity for us to create a personalized gift!  I chose a craft that both my kids could help with (2 and 4 years old) and they were so excited to present Parker with her new "P".

Apples are in Season!

 Dear Diary,

 

It was a nice day so two friends, my husband and I decided to make our way to a pumpkin patch to take pictures of Layla.  We ended up finding a great apple orchard basically in our own backyard!  We took a short hayride to the apple orchards then walked down to the pumpkin patch.  Luckily, we were the only group there so we were able to take great pictures with an awesome background. Then it was off to the rows and rows of apple trees.  Where to begin?  My husband was told it was okay to try the apples before adding them to our bag, so he had over 20 apples by

Addiction

Dear Diary,

It's official... I have an addiction!

ad·dic·tion: compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal

When most people think of an addiction they think of a bad habit. Well, my addiction is healthy. I am addicted to saving money! My husband put me up to the challenge once the television show 'Extreme Couponing' started airing,  and I gladly accepted. Have you ever said to yourself that you wanted to start

Do I still "got it”? (Part I)

Dear Diary,

The question here is... Do I still "got it”? (Part I)

I consider myself active.  As a mother, the definition of active has ebbed and flowed as my body adjusted to its latest size, shape and leaking parts.  It also became a much more careful version of active with the “age appropriate” womanly activities like running, spinning, aerobics etc.  I miss terribly the days of organized sports, everything from the sweat and tears to the locker signs and

Crafting for a Cause- Fleece Tie Blankets

Dear Diary,

They say you'll always remember your first time! I have to admit it feels kind of weird that you hardly know me and I am just putting myself out here like this but.... here goes!  (That is What She Said! Kat, I just can't shake the TWSS innuendos.)

I am out the gates with my first blog ever and looking so philanthropic!  Last week, Mea's preschool was having a blanket and slipper drive for Mott/University of Michigan Hospital for children getting chemotherapy treatments.  Apparently after treatments, chemo