bow

Strawberry Puffs for Valentine's

2012-02-09T21:33:00.001-08:00

See littleyellowbarn.blogspot.com for details

Cherry cupcakes

2012-02-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

This cheery flavored box cake was AWESOME.

I have it set in my head that desserts have to be time consuming in order to be good.

According to PICKY PALAT this is just not true.

I'm sure she would approve of the box cake cupcakes my mom made.

Me and Z sure did.

P.S. How do you take pictures at night or inside? Still can't figure that one out.

To remember.

2012-02-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

Some memories you just pray will stay clear in your mind forever.

I hope I always remember what it feels like to walk in the room and see Z coloring without a care in the world.

holiday frame

2012-02-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

see little yellow barn for details

PLOTTING

2012-02-03T20:18:00.000-08:00

I have a friend named Ashley, but I like to call her Shirley.
I call her Shirley because she and I, are constantly mapping out our futures just like...
Lavern and Shirley. And of course I am Lavern so that would make her sweet Shirley and she is definitely sweet.
So we plot.
And right now we are plotting, planning, inventing and anticipating the launch of our new blog.
A blog where we will post all of our projects, restorations, tried & failed recipes etc.
So when I am at school and I can't keep my eyes open I just imagine I am here...

.....at home in the garage with the MAN, sanding, painting, building and fantasizing about a barn in the backyard to call my own. All things I would rather be doing instead of reading, reading, reading, studying, studying, studying, candy bar, study, read, study, read.

little for a little while

2012-01-31T16:15:00.000-08:00

My little girl is getting bigger and bigger. It takes no effort to look at her and smile. Even when she is being naughty I can't help but feel so grateful for her little arms, her little legs and even her little scowl.

When to remember Jazelle is only little for a little while:
When it's 10:00 at night and Jazelle peaks around the corner into my bedroom to see if I will notice her cross the hallway. I try to not go bonkers because she is STILL not asleep.
OR
When I brush her teeth and she throws a fit, takes a few swipes at me, bites down on the toothbrush until I swear it's going to snap and cries, cries cries. I like to sing, "raindrops keep falling on my head" and quit after 30 seconds..... it only takes a few seconds to clean those tiny teeth anyways, right?
OR
When Jazelle decides baby powder will look amazing all over her room, I think to myself, "at least it wasn't pudding".

I actually have a hard time remember all of the mischievous things she's done, because they quickly leave my mind the second she says to me, "snuggle me".

Goodies

2012-01-30T12:52:00.000-08:00

Have you seen this stuff called Metromint in Whole Foods, Aj's or I have even seen it at

Albertson's (it's your store)... are you singing the song... okay maybe it's just me?

Anyways, it's awesome!

You can just add peppermint oil to your water to make it too, but I just love buying myself a little special bottle of water every now and again.

If you feel like giving a gift basket, consider the following materials...

These are the thinest most delicious tortilla chips you will ever find (look for at Whole Foods)

Nothing is better that a gift basket... except a gift basket with a free massage inside of coarse.

Chicken Parmesan YUM.

2012-01-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

A few recipes I have tried recently...
Chicken Parmesan found HERE
This one is absolutely going into my cookbook. Mostly because it is so ridiculously easy and surprisingly tasty for a quick dinner. Make sure you put enough red pepper flakes at the bottom and fresh basil too.
also...
Four Cheese Casserole found HERE,
I was not entirely impressed with this one, for having so many naughty ingredients it didn't taste very sinful.

2012-01-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

I have never been one to proudly announce my religious beliefs, nor do I often share the gospel with those I come in contact with that might benefit from what I know to be true. But I do have a huge amount of faith in my Heavenly Father and it brings immense peace, joy and mostly gratitude to my life. I have a simple hope, that although I do not openly convert those around me, I am secretly converting them just by showing them sincere love, a love that ONLY comes from God.

My name is Jourdan McLaws and I am a Mormon.

teaching your salad who's boss

2012-01-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

Every so often I get into a salad frenzy, feeling like if I eat a salad everyday, then I won’t be tempted to substitute a bag of heart shaped dove chocolates for a real dinner.

Usually I’ll do okay for a week or so and then I’ll realize hey, I should live a little.

Yes I have been known to eat a bag of donut holes for dinner, just saying... this girl got issues.

But when I am on my salad frenzy I like to make it easy.

THINGS JOURDAN SAYS TO PUT IN YOUR SALAD, OKAY?:

CORN
CHICKPEAS

PEAS
RICE &

TORTILLA CHIPS

DRIED CRANBERRIES

PECANS &

MANDRAIN ORAGES

FETA &

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

FAVE DRESSING: RASPBERRY WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

If you decide a bowl of Honey Nut Chex or Honey Bunches Of Oats is the way to go instead, believe me, I won't judge.

2012-01-19T15:49:00.000-08:00

First week of my nursing program!!! 6am never felt so horrible. It was fun waking up and getting ready with the MAN though. He is forced to wake up early every morning, while I am complaining about the 2 days a week I have to be at school by 7.
I'm so excited, seriously, I pray everything works out and that I don't make too many mistakes.
But what will be, will be.
If you are reading this, I love you because I know you are thinking right now... "you can do this Jourdan"... right?
YOU ARE I KNOW YOU ARE:)

Creamy Rosemary Potatoes

2012-01-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

What to do with the Idaho taters that we got from Uncle Dave....?

"Boil em Mash em Stick em in a Stew?"

(What ever you do don't click on this obnoxious link.)

Cousin Holly hooked me up with The Pioneer Woman's cookbook.

So I made her

CREAMY ROSEMARY POTATOES

and I will never make funeral potatoes again.

peanut butter and white chocolate chips

2012-01-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

Whoa Bessy, these cookies are like eating a cookie and a brownie at the same time. They are dense and delicious. Don't make chocolate chip cookies next time. Try these babies and make sure you have lots of milk.
Wanna guess where I got the recipe....?
OUR BEST BITES COOKBOOK
I have recommended the OUR BEST BITES cookbook several times. So listen to me when I say, you must have this book.
Here are the ingredients, but for copyrighting purposes I'm not posting the directions. Also I substituted butter for the shortening... SHORTENING freaks me out.

1 c butter 1 t baking soda 1 c white chocolate chips
1 c brown sugar 1 t baking powder
1 c sugar 1/2 t salt
1 1/2 t vanilla 6 T cocoa
2 eggs 1 c peanut butter chips

IMPOSSIBLE

2012-01-09T13:14:00.000-08:00

A little over 2 years ago my cousin Holly said to me "you should be a nurse!" and I sorta said, "okay yeah!" this was kinda like the time she said, "you should do a half ironman with me" and I said, "okay yeah!".
It's good that I am now recognizing this pattern in order to prevent future catastrophes such as... "you should buy a boat" or "you should have a baby".
ANYWAYS... after a semester of prerequisites I was able to submit an application to MCC's nursing program
I was told that I would not begin the course for another two years, due to the lengthy waiting list.
I thought, "well there is no way I can wait that long".
So one more semester later, I was ready to apply to ASU's nursing program.
3 denied applications later, I was quite bummed that I was still not a nurse or even close to becoming one.
A few months ago I received notice that I had been selected to begin the nursing program at MCC.
My program starts next week.
I CAN NOT even express my excitement.

Although I have yet to even begin, what I set out to do 2 years ago, I can't help but feel immense gratitude for the opportunity to move forward, to be free to choose, to feel hope and excitment for what the future may hold. The road is only going to get longer, but I have learned how to enjoy the ride.
When you are a child you believe in fairy tales, feeling that all your dreams will magically come true.
When you are an adult, you know that much is possible, hope fills your soal and brings comfort and happiness, but the difference is, although you may not have a fairy godmother, you do have your Father in Heaven.
Be uplifted.
Have faith that Heavenly Father will provide opportunity to you.
Never take your freedom of choice for granted.
As a mother and a wife, my role seems so well defined. At times to step out of these lines, is daunting, fearing that adding "nurse" to my title, is impossible.

Impossible for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage

And four white mice could never be four white horses. Impossible.
Then, I remember that Heavenly Father understands me and wants me to be more and that the only person who needs convincing, is me.

I am so excited to begin my training as a nurse. And no matter the outcome, if I may love or loath this profession, I understand myself a little better.

My ultimate goal is to someday be a nurse anesthetist.
I know that this road will be long and hard, but I also know that it is possible.
Thank you mom for teaching me to believe.

Next goal: Family of FOUR

Knowing that the time I have with my daughter is about to significantly decrease, I have been soaking in her wonderfulness. We went to a little kiddie park. The miniature rides were hilarious.

.... Impossible things are happening every day.

Christmas Gifts

2011-12-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas felt so special this year. Throughout December it was vividly apparent to me what a gift life is. I'm constantly reflecting on the opportunities I'm given to live my life in such a wonderful way, with people that love me and a Father in Heaven who is ever so mindful of the desires of my heart.
Keeping Christmas simple allowed me a peace, I cannot buy.
I made most of my gifts this year and my husband made mine. I hope to keep this sense of simplicity, gratitude for health of my loved ones and appreciation for freedom and opportunity with me through every month following December.

Add:
Old frames made to look... OLD again
Christmas ornaments
felt flowers
a mother in law patient enough to show me the gather stitch for the 50th time
the all powerful hot glue gun and
a little craftiness forged from Pinterest and a love of white Chritsmases,

And you get... Christmas made easy.

Pinterest led me to this blogger (click link to see) who used chicken wire in combo with this empty frame idea, which is WAY cuter and definitely on my to do list.

The MAN freehanded these letters and cut them out for me. Which I think is a notable defeat, for if I felt the desire to draw a cantaloupe, I would have no such luck.

Cantaloupes are round people.

Fam pics

2011-12-28T11:53:00.001-08:00

Thanks Matt for taking our family pics.

This year I decided to have our pets in the pictures with us. If all of our family decisions were left up to Jake, this picture would also include a kitten, he forgot to run over in the street and a bird he found in the rafters of a house his company was restoring. He has brought home 3 miserable animals this year, a kitten, a bird and a turtle. Animals that he has either found in the street or some other obnoxious place.

He likes to think that the animals find him.

Okay Dr. Doolittle!

Fortunately, the bird didn't live long.

Should I feel guilty for thinking,

"Thank heavens the bird is in a better place now."

It was very sick and weak. For a week Jake tried to nurse it back to life.

If I remember correctly, I think he had been feeding it diluted cornmeal with one of those little yellow straws you get from the Capri Suns. I think Jake could have actually saved the little birdie if not for the curiosity of Z. He had it in a box on the kitchen counter (yuck) with some hay in it. One morning I came into the kitchen and my little one had pushed a chair up to the counter and was peering into the box that I had told her strictly, to stay away from. She said, "I feeding him" or something along the jibber jabber lines of a toddler. I quickly checked on the baby bird and he/she seemed to be choking on the yellow straw. I pulled the straw out and could see how far down it's throat the straw had been.

The birdie died 2 days later.

We are really not sure what the cause of death was, but I'm sure the hole in it's windpipe wasn't helpful to the baby bird's recovery.

And as for the kitten, the only way I dodged that bullet was because my friend was only too happy to relieve me of it.

The turtle was supposed to be given to a friend at Jake's work, who said he really wanted it. Originally Jake told me the turtle was only staying a week. I'm starting to think he tricked me into keeping this turtle. For the longest time I wouldn't even let Jake name the turtle because I didn't want Jake to get too attached to it. But it has been four months now and I'm starting to think the turtle in never leaving. However the turtle is not a bad pet, she feeds herself and doesn't cause a fuss.

So, I let Jake decide on a name last week...

Scooter.

Zelly wouldn't stop picking her nose, so I had to dive in, in order to resolve the problem.

I love my man he has such a big heart and it's all mine.

CHRISTMAS PARTYING

2011-12-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

Angel #2 wins best costume!

BEST COSTUME AWARD at our annual nativity reenactment goes to... Angel #2.

Angel #2 brought her A game this year with a set of marvelous wings and a very real looking halo. As you can see Angel #2's head is missing. For political reasons, I had to blur out Angel #2's head in order to conceal her identity. Unfortunately King Herrod suffered this same fate. Don't worry Angel #2 and King Herrod I got your back, no paparazzi will be getting a hold of the originals if I have anything to do with it. Your secret is safe with me.

There are no secrets when it comes to this little one.

Zelly had a wonderful Christmas!

Her favorite gift this year was her doctor stuff.

She loves helping the sick apparently.

My favorite gift...

A full length mirror that I've been waiting for THE MAN to make forever.

This year, my wish came true.

Now I can see the whole picture before I walk out the door....

I'm starting to regret my request.

My little present, ready for church on Christmas Day

Christmas for a 3 year old...

one of the the very simple and true joys of this life.

dancing girls

2011-12-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Jazelle had her first dance recital this past weekend.
So cute and yet so tortuous.

It's fun watching your kid pretend like she's a dancer.
But less fun, watching the other kids.

Wow, I hope I'm not alone in thinking this. Hopefully the other moms were also wondering,
"Seriously how long is this program?"
instead of...
"Oh look at the little angles" like they are Mary Poppins or something.

If not, I'm bound to loose a few friends over this post.

In my defense,
yes, it was all cute for like the first 15 minutes, but after 90 minutes
all I could think about was my soar toosh and stealing the ice cream I promised my kid.

christmas prep

2011-12-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Martha Stewart has a really cute pattern for FELT SLIPERS

It seemed easy enough, so I gave it a shot despite the fact that

SEWING and I are SWORN ENEMIES

I did make a slight alteration so that I could use my slippers as a garland instead of the wearable slippers.

To do this:

FOLOW Martha's HOW TO up through step 2.

THEN...

Fold heal closed

SEW from the top of the heal down leaving 1/2 inch at the bottom of the heal

make a small cut horizontally at the base of the heal as shown in the picture

Cut a 2 inch piece of ribbon and fold in half.

Slip the ribbon into the cut portion of the heal,

folded end first.

Hot glue ribbon ends and heal flap to the back of the heal.

Turn inside out.

Fold and Iron the cuff around the ankle.

north pole

2011-12-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

My cute friend Ash was making a NORTH POLE sign so she let me join the fun.

This is how she did it.

1st, she borrowed this old wood that seemed to definitely be in someone's trash pile, on the side of the road.

Print out labels BACKWARDS

Place face down on wood

Paint light later of CITRASOLV on back

Use the bottom of the brush to push the ink into the wood

Glue and nail a

Post ($5 at Lowes) + old bed knob

together

SAND, PAINT and attached a base if you like

Distress, clear coat, and nail signs to post

Photoshop in SNOW:(

cutest couple award goes to...

2011-12-06T18:21:00.000-08:00

H & T

I don't think it is possible to be more fun than these two are.

Everyone and everything is funny to them.

I was seriously considering a career in stand-up comedy after hanging with them.

But don't worry, I checked my ego when I got home and realized, I'm not that funny,

they just love to laugh.

I would have to say one of the main reasons these two are so much fun is because

I'm pretty sure they don't take ANYTHING seriously.

Hence the lack of professionalism on Ty's part during our picture taking time.

But this is why they win the cutest couple award.... and they don't even have to try.

tight budget

2011-12-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

Want to make some room in your budget for a few EXTRA Christmas presents?

I nabbed these POT PIES from Pinterest and found them to be handy when considering my budget this week.

Add two extra carrots and some extra celery and the recipe will make 6 pot pies (8oz). Freeze four and you have dinner set for another night or two. Although pot pies all week can get old, real fast.

AND

If you do decide to try this recipe, may I suggest....
1. Use 1 to 1.5 onions instead of 2. The filling was way too sweet for my taste.
2. Don't add flour to the veggie mixture. Instead, make a roux in your saucepan, then add the milk and chicken stalk.
3. Use Charlotte's Perfect Pie Crust instead of store bought dough. I tried both and the two hours I waited for Charlotte's dough to refrigerate was well worth the delicious, flakey finish.
4. Use your extra dough to make a little, bitty pie, I just used canned pie filling. Easy and delicious. Oooh I need ice cream with this.

But don't be mad when you wake up in the morning and somebody has been nibbling at your pie.

Charlotte's Perfect Pie Crust:

2.5 c flour

1 t salt

1 c shortening

approx. 1/2 to 3/4 c cold water

Mix flour and salt. Cut shortening into flour mixture using lifting motion with fingers combining until mixture resembles split peas. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Use your hand to mix the dough while sprinkling cold water over your hand so that the water is more evenly distributed. Don't get dough too wet. Add water just until dough holds together. Use flour board and roll out!

the feast

2011-11-29T10:49:00.000-08:00

Years from now, I pray that these little cousins look at this picture and think to themselves...

I had a great childhood... and I have an amazing family.

Because, I simply smile when I look at these pics of my cousins and I.

And I think to myself, I could not have been given a better mom or a better family.

And no matter how embarrassing these pictures may seem, I'm proud to show off my frizzy hair, butterfly catching days.

Z and her cousins played with silly string and bubbles their last day here.

Could being a kid BEEEEEEE any more fun?

I don't think so.

ready for the feast

2011-11-25T19:58:00.000-08:00

I am missing my sister already and she hasn't even left AZ yet.

We have all day tomorrow to trim the tree and play dress up with Truly and Z.

But one more day, is never enough.

Truly is truly beautiful, posing for the pics like a little dancer.

You've got to love this face.

When that camera starts flashing, she means business.

awesomeness

2011-11-24T14:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

The boys are doing the football thing and the girls are starving themselves until it's time for pumpkin pie.

Just wanted to do a quick SHOUT OUT

to my fab-U-low-so aunt and her fam who did the Tour De Tucson last weekend.

Read about how their event HERE.

I love the Beckster, but honestly, how can anyone not?

She is the kind of person that just makes you feel

good to be around. She is loving and extraordinarily selfless.

It's nuts.

This wins best picture of the year.

And I'm sure her kids and hub that were also in the race, won't mind that I give Becky the spotlight because they have got to know how special she is.

more food.... just great.

2011-11-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

I have tried at least half of the recipes from the

Our Best Bites Cookbook.

Some are keepers, some are NOT.

These Apple Streusel Bars are quite tasty,

and the best part about them is,

you won't feel guilty having a second piece.

It is a very lite dessert.

The bar is basically a delicious crust, a layer of green apples and

a simple glaze to add a bit of sweetness.

If you are in the mood for something a little more indulgent,

heat it up and eat it with ice cream. YUM!

Another recipe I have tried from this cookbook is the

Chipotle Chocolate Chili

This recipe is okay. But in my book, how good can chili really get?

I will be cooking this again though, simply because it is an easy recipe and if you have all your ingredients ready, you can throw it together quickly.

Plus, what guy doesn't get excited about chili? Sadly, mine does.

It is also a sweet chili, which I guess is nice for those of you a little too sheltered for spicy food.

But, the ONLY reason I considered making chili was so I could eat THIS...

Jalapeno Cornbread

from Charlotte's Kitchen.

While making this, I couldn't help but reminisce about my grandfather.

He use to add extra jalapeno.... and so do I.

Jalapeno Cornbread

MIX:

1/2 C milk

1/2 C buttermilk

1 egg

2 T vegetable oil

1T sugar

2 t b. powder

1/2 t salt

ADD:

1 C cornmeal

1/2 C flour

mix just until dry ingredients are moistened.

FOLD IN:

2 T diced red bell pepper

2 T minced jalapeno

2 T whole kernel corn

Generously grease 8 inch pan. Bake at 425 for 20-25 min.

If you want to try some of the recipes from

Our Best Bites and you don't have the cookbook,

email me and I'll send you whatever.

I'm just unsure of the ethics surrounding the sharing of recipes from a purchased cookbook.

But I won't feel guilty, sharing a few secrets with those

who are truly interested.

However, in my opinion this cookbook is definitely worth the $.

I plan my meals around which recipe from the book,

I want to try next.

another before and after

2011-11-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

I received this FREE, old, wooden kitchen from my aunt Becky.

Score!!!!!!

A coat of MINTY fresh paint, some new knobs and we got ourselves a new distraction.

Z loves it!!!!!!

Thanks Beckster.

the before

A little before and after

2011-11-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Luckily this is my blog and the whole point of it is to post pics of my little one.
So that is just what I'm going to do....AGAIN

She is practically my whole life so try not to blame me for not having any other interests.

Picked up a table at Goodwill for 20 DOLLAS.

Made Z a kids table.

Added some CHALKBOARD paint to the top...

which, I have yet to clue her in on.

Only because once I do, I'm not sure how far she will go with this new

"we can draw on the table phenomena"

So we will see.

Footstool: I GOT IT AT ROSS...

$15? $20 maybe, I can't remember

AFTER PIC

BEFORE PIC

The MAN helped me chop the legs and add some prefabricated feet.

Love him.

overcast

2011-11-06T19:47:00.000-08:00

This weekend, Zelly and I took advantage of the wonderful weather.

I always get a wake up call when the

weather is so nice my mood suddenly switches from

"cantankerous cook" to "blissful baker".

Good weather is just plain good for the soul.

So we made,

APPLE CAKE with RUM SAUCE

a recipe from Charolette's Kitchen

(a.k.a Mother Snedigar's cookbook)

SERIOUSLY SO GOOD YOU WILL BE LICKING THE PLATE

we also made...

Dinner Rolls and Broccoli Potato Soup, both from

Our Best Bites Cookbook

both pretty delish as well

Then to soak in the overcast, Saturday we planted flowers. Don't tell anyone I said this, but staying at home with Zelly has it's advantages like:

watching your kid dig for worms, letting little hands punch down the bread doe, re-lighting the cinnamon scented candle AGAIN after Zelly has blown it out for the third time and watching the rain with a cup of cocoa and a Zelly in your lap.

Tricks and Treats

2011-11-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween was a blast

I love walking around the neighborhood,
soaking in the fall,
watching little kids trip over their costumes
and
trying not to laugh as I comfort a very scared, little Zelly
who was brave enough to walk through a haunted house.
I realized I'm a little too selfish because I take pleasure in both
seeing my kid's reaction to spooky things,
as well as,
take sincere joy in the fact that a little love
from mom, makes it all better.

Halloween 2011

2011-10-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Zelly is going trick or treating for the first time tomorrow.

I'm excited for her.

Sadly...

I have already let her eat WAY to much candy.

But part of being a kid is developing an unhealthy diet that will

follow you for the rest of your life, right?

We are right on track with that.

But seriously, she is fun, fun, fun, fun and I will miss, miss, miss

her when I start school again in January:(

i love socks

2011-10-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

I love stockings, socks, feet warmers, footies... basically all of the above.

WHY?

They get me in the mood for snuggling,

they keep the jam on the floor off of my bare feet

and they remind me it's cold outside.

Therefore, one of the best ways to decorate in my book, is by using stockings,

hence the giant door stocking I made for the sis.

Hopefully it doesn't look too homemade for her taste.

Then again, she is usually obsessed with anything I do

she is super supportive like that.... thanks sis love u lots.

saw this pillow in pottery barn

LOVE IT.

But I will leave this pillow

to be tackled another day

Lots of Pots

2011-10-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love Holloween.

I told my grandmother that Holloween is my favorite holiday.
And she said that she hated Holloween and that it was an evil holiday.

Hmmmmm.... okay.

I said to her, "Mother, you make it so easy for me to tease you?"
But 75% of anything I say to her, she must ignore because I'm usually pushing her buttons and I think, after a while this just gets simply obnoxious.

When people tell her she is funny, she tells them, "yeah funny looking"
But really, she is funny. And I love her for it
Anyways...

the modged podged pots are done.
The pumpkins are from Hobby Lobby in case you were wondering... $15 for all of them. I refuse to buy real pumpkins anymore because fake ones are so much cuter and they last until next season. I think I can call myself a pumpkin collector because again I am obsessed with Holloween.
My fave is the black and white swirly stand which I picked up from GOODWILL for like a buck and just painted.

Witch's legs and what I think is an antique paint brush I found laying around my mom's house. Sewing is only fun if you know what you are doing. AND I DO NOT. So any project I set out to do that involves sewing usually takes me weeks to complete, because I give up several times before finally finishing. You would think that little boots and stockings wouldn't be that hard, right? But my witch had very fat ankles at one point okay.

My poor toad was a no go, it just wasn't working out, so I went with the pumkins instead of the swamp creature.

With more practice though I might be able to some day create something amazing such as these......

I seriously love this artist, I think her work is wonderfully magical, inspiring and at times enchanting.

To say the least she is my favorite but I am biased, only because it's my mom.

In the future I hope to create as she does, in a manner that is meaningful to herself and those around her.

Loving SUNdays

2011-09-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

Loving SUNday mornings is easy to do...

mostly because we are usually eating pancakes.

But also because we are not worried about our chores or making plans on how to spend the day.

We are simply just being, which makes it's easy to stop and think,

"What more could I ask for?"

tortuous crafts

2011-09-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Waiting, waiting waiting...... to get into a nursing program in the valley. I seriously could have had my license by now with all of the waiting I have been doing. If I don't start in January I might have to have another kid, just to keep myself busy. Just kidding, that joke is NOT even funny. Luckily my McDreamy does not read the blog so he won't be getting his hopes up.

TO keep busy, I have been scrounging around Pinterest for things to do, hence the endless desserts I have been passing out. My friends have literally asked me to stop... M actually refused my mint brownies. Believe me it was HER LOSS.

So here we go again with the crafts. I finish a project or two and I think, "hmmmm what else could I have done with my time?" But I never have a very good answer to this question.
SO the crafts continue to torture me.

A glimpse of what I am working on now...

Why am I making an oddly shaped toad out of clay?
WEll....
I picked up these MODGED PODGED POTS from Pinterest. Pretty cute I think but then I couldn't figure out what to use the pots for. I hate fake plants and I thought wheat grass would look cool, but any real plants were sure to ruin the newly designed pots. So I came up with a little Halloween theme, hence the making of the toed.

4 POTS for $2.40 at Goodwill (50% off every other Saturday)

Bag of moss $2 at Walmart

Ummm yeah... no comment on the toad.

There is more to come, I am still working out the kinks of what ever it is I am actually doing.

AND can I just say?
The one thing I love about having all the time in the world is... spending it with Jazelle.
When we feel like wrestling, we wrestle...
when we feel like snuggling, we snuggle...
when we wanna play hide and seek, we hide.
There is never a moment in which I am saying, "I'm busy studying jells, go find something to do"
or
"Maybe later we will go to the park"
or
"Seriously Jazelle, it's quite time"

We literally have one goal when we wake up in the morning.
PLAY!

Thanks Pinterest

2011-09-17T08:39:00.000-07:00

I might need to change the name of my blog to

"thank you Pinterest"

I just can't get enough of the "pinning"

So thank you Pinterest for these lemon squares.

Thank you Pinterest for these

Oven-Baked Apple Donuts

AND thank you mom and sis for my camera, without it I would be a sad, sad, sad, sad... sad woman.

zelle is 3

2011-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

To my Jazelle:
You are THREE now, can u believe it! Daddy and I were just talking about how blown away we are to be parents of a three year old. You have been the best decision we have ever made. You are still the sweetest, kindest little girl who listens very well for someone so small... always replying to a request with a quite "okay mommy". Today you were eating shredded cheese right out of the bag. And I said to you "Jazelle you are making a mess," in a somewhat concerned tone. And you told me, "I'm sorry mommy" and proceeded to pick up the pieces of cheese. You always want to chase anyone who will run from you, giving them a short turn and then stopping to announce that it is your turn, telling the chased, "come get me, come get me". Goodness I love you. I pray that the rest of our lives will be as happy as these last three years have been.

from mom.

Wow, tier cakes..... not so easy. I can't wait until the day I can call the baker an order an awesome cake. But until then, I'll settle for making my mom do most of the work.

Also... buttercream... YUCK, mine tasted like butter. Need new recipe ASAP, so send me one.

BEST VACA EVER!!!!

2011-09-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

Seriously, I think Maui is the best place on earth. It's part of the U.S., so you're not afraid the police are going to go all "Brokedown Palace" on you... (you know that movie with Claire Danes in which she is arrested in Thiland for supposedly trying to smuggle drugs out of the country, so she has to learn how to say "can I bum some cigs" in Thia so her jail mates won't beet her up). You've seen that movie right? Anyways, my point is Hawaii feels foreign but isn't. The feeling there is so chill, you don't feel like doing anything except relaxing and waiting for the sunset. We had so much fun. Jake kept saying how much he missed Jazelle and I kept saying, "What am I, chop liver?"

I asked Truly to get the hair out of her face so I could take a picture.... Tad was all over it attempting to put Truly's hair in a ponytail. How can you not love this kid.

This guy was on the side of the road up to Hana. He actually made me kiss one of the birds and at the last second the bird stuck it's tongue out. So yes my lips have touch a birds tongue... gross.

Jake was like... "okay I'm going to do a James Bond coming out of the water... take a picture..." Sometimes I just have to laugh.

yumm sand

So much freaking fun

cuteness

2011-07-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

I always have withdrawals after I leave my sis and the kids.

I need I need I need... more Turner time.

tri #2

2011-07-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

Did a little TRI in Utah, while visiting my sis

SOOOOOO FUN

Olympic Distance.... a breeze compared to the "half",

and much more enjoyable... less grueling... easy ride... easy flat run.

My cousin Nat rocked it!

Seriously, so glad Natalie was there, it would have been dull without her.

BEST wetsuit ever!!!!! I feel super fast in it, even if I'm not.

So glad my hubalicious was there and my bro and Al... look how cute they are standing there... in the hot sun... thinking... "boy, what we do for the redheads in this family." While mother is smiling, singing, "I love the mountain, I love the rolling hills..."

I love, love, love seeing my fam at the finish line when I'm starting to feel all is lost, I see my fam and remember how awesome life is.

My speedy mom caught up with me on the run and then ran with me on the way back... which I know is hard for her cuz her pace drops by half when she runs by me. When we run together she always leaves me in the dust. I'm jealous of her mental ability to just gut the chicken and do it. She's the best.

Who could ask for more?

Our 4th of July

2011-07-25T12:18:00.000-07:00

Spent our 4th this year in Utah, with my sis.

Tom and Jerry i.e Truly and Jazelle, were at it again!

Sooner or later they will have to realize that they are BFF's whether they like it or not...

cuz my sis and I, r going to live right next to each other someday and bake bread and work on our zen together.

So Trues and Zells will just have to deal.

Who doesn't love Aunt Lisa. I miss her

Loving life

2011-06-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend family came to town, so we soaked up every second we had with them by....

playing outside,

chasing chickens

watching movies on the big screen.

I love these moments in life when all the love that surrounds you, is plain to see.

Grandpa taught the kids "THE WAX PAPER MOVE".

The kids were flying down the slide. Especially KK who weighs the same as a pencil.

I love this little girl B, who lives next door to grandma and grandpa. She just pampers Zellie, following her around everywhere.

Sad but true

2011-06-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

Took a trip to NY with Mom, Sis, Aunt Beckster, Brittany and Natalie, meeting up with my cousin and his fabulous wife.

Spent four days walking through the city... had a blast... laughed the whole time... especially at Becky who couldn't figure out how to use the subway or the buses or the stairs... bonded with the girls and loved every second I spent with them. The best part had to be, spending time with the sis without any husbands or children to butt in.

Places to remember:

Trinity Church

Wall Street... The Charging Bull

Times Square... saw my first musical "Mary Poppins"

Lincoln Center

Manhattan Temple

The BB and Central Park of course

Madison Square Park

Washington Square Park

Hudson River Parkway

Battery Park

Rockfeller Center

Radio City

The MET

oh &

Donut Plant... Coconut Cream goodness

Our mother hen Natalie truly made everything a breeze. I never want to go anywhere without her cuz then I might actually have to look at a map. I love you Nat.

My cousin Brit was a champ, answering all of our questions, even the obnoxious ones.

see Brit talking, saying something smart and important while my mom soaks it in and the rest of us pose brilliantly for the pic and then ask about the donut shop one more time. We are who we are, sad but true.

Cafe Lalo, someone name their kid this Jake has already used his veto power on this one but I would love a little girl named Lalo.

...you know...statues and stuff

While walking through Central Park, Brit told us about how the Park came to be, why it was so loved, what it brought to the community and culture of NYC and all we could think to ask was if he thought there were really dead bodies in the bushes like on Law & Order. Again, sad but true.

Miss NYC and the cuteness of these two.

Met up with the Mother and spent 5 days in DC with our new favorite relative M, who made us feel like queens in his beautiful home. Again our questions consisted of, where did they shot the movie Forest Gump and what does DC stand for, sad but true.

Places to remember:

Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson Monuments

Capital

Smithsonian... the stuff on Lincoln was the best

Maryland Temple

Iwo Jima Memorial

Georgetown

National Archives

National Cathedral

George Washington's Estate

Arlington National Cemetery

Oldies but goodies

Seriously who doesn't want to be apart of this gang

TRI bug

2011-05-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

What I want to remember about April 30th 2011:
Finishing the swim and taking my sweet time in transition, trying to get my bearings thinking... "3 elbows to the right eye, two kicks to the face and i'm not at the bottom of the lake... i'm doing okay, now, just get on the bike, get on the bike, get on the bike"

okay i'm on my bike:
MILE 19-25.... "what the heck i'm not even half way"
MILE 28... "oh what amazing strawberry fields... look at that cow with the long piece of grass sticking out of it's mouth... wow the sky is so pretty... get your head in the game Jourdan... I could take a nap... if I make it back it's only by God's grace... thank you for this moment Heavenly Father... life is so clear to me right now... the path is clear... there is no opposition too great... I just want to see my family one more time before I die"
MILE 32... "Mental note, thank Ty for these super gu's taped to my bike... oh look, I'm going to catch this fat guy... I'm going to catch another, wait, what's going on... oh this is the 'Nasty Grade' the riders are all backed up." I'm going sooo slow up the Grade that I fumble a bit and accidentally clip out with my right foot. I was stuck, I thought I was going to have to walk to the top so I could get back on my bike. I try getting back on a couple times... I can't, it's just too steep. I tell myself "okay just try one more time." I push with my left foot as hard as possible and my right foot clips instantly into my pedal and I'm able to push and pull with my legs and finally get up on my bike and finish the hill. I felt like I had just won the lotto, it seemed like a crap shoot that my shoe just slipped right in, especially since I am a rookie and am never able to just clip right in without moving my feet around a bit. This was another special moment delivered to me by my Heavenly Father.
MILE 40... I pass a competitor who already finished and was parked on the side of the mountain, watching others climb... I scream out to her..."I believe!" She replies..." you're doing it right now, you're conquering this hill right now"
MILE 50... laughing like a mental patient, I soar down the mountain catching some serious down hill. I sing to my self " fly like an eagle to the sea, fly like an eagle let my spirit carry me, I wanna fly, fly right into the future... am I going to biff... oh no, I'm okay... this is freaking awesome!!!!!!!"
STROLLING into home... my uncle Jerry shouts out "I'm so proud of you," he looks astounded to see me. I almost start to cry as I realize my legs are still attached to the rest of my body.

Transition is slow again... I'm feeling anxious to just get on the run, realizing I must be last, I think, "I just can't do it." My mom hops onto the course with me to run the 13 miles. And I am literally falling apart. I tell my mom "I can't mom, my body just can't." She just keeps telling me "yes you can, just keep moving, don't stop." I tell myself, "one more step... come on just one more step," and my feet start to move one foot in front of the other. Some how I finish. Jake takes my hand and strolls with me to the finish line. I cross the line. And as Justin Beiber would say, I "cry and cry and cry and cry.... and cry."

There have been very few times in my life when I have told myself that I couldn't do something. I was shocked that at times during the race I actually wanted to quit. Realizing my physical limits was a very hard and very humbling lesson to learn. I know that I could not have finished without Heavenly Father by my side. I was unprepared and naive when considering my expectations for the event. But I can think of no better way to be brought to my knees in gratitude for the opportunity and strength given to me. My family being there meant everything to me. And if I can think of one cohesive thought to describe the overwhelming sensation that this day brought to me, it would be, "boy does He love me."

No words can describe this experience... not even these... but I don't think I will ever forget these moments of my life

... Holls coming out of the water with style and a big fat smile

everyone is.... waiting... waiting... waiting

... no words.

Chasing Birds

2011-05-03T10:10:00.001-07:00

Spent Jake's b-day in Santa Barbara chasing birds, running from waves, eating delicious fish and feeding giraffes.

It was such a peaceful day.

Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a small, quaint town on the beach and ride your bike to the store for some goodies or run on the beach in the mornings.

Zellie got so close to this squirrel, we were amazed by the squirrel's boldness.

Got to love Easter

2011-04-23T21:01:00.000-07:00

Tons of Easter weekend FUN.

Went to a party with Grandma McLaws, with a petting zoo, a bounce house, cotton candy, dunk machine, and face painting... forgot my battery for the camera which was a total bummer, cuz jells held the bunnies at the petting zoo like a pro, while the other kids nearly strangled an animal or two.

Did snap these with my phone though.

Went to a family party and played easter games like: egg toss, 4-legged race and a water balloon fight. Had lots of laughs.

Love my family so much, so lucky to have so many wonderful, beautiful people in my life.

I wish these pictures were in focus cuz my cousin reached up and snatched this egg out of the air like a champ during the egg toss, IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

I did not do it

2011-03-31T11:59:00.000-07:00

I swear I did NOT put her in the bunny's cage. When I went to check on Zelle, I found that she had climbed into Trigger's cage. Trigger was cornered and there was no way of escaping Jelly's grasp this time.

The lion and the lamb

2011-03-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

After having Trigger, our pet rabbit for nearly 3 months now, Trigger has finally decided to stop taking crap from our dog Burt. Trigger chases and lunges at Burt, if Burt gets up on his grill. It's quite funny to see.

2011-03-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Made some bows for HP's Dr. Boss Man.

Totally out of the swing of this bow thing.

Love/Hate kinda relationship with me and these bows.

One second I will love a bow next second I will think it's trash... then a day later I will be wearing said bow... then two days later I will give said bow away because I was convinced it made my head look fat.

Hmmmm, why so finicky, you might say. I think it's in my nature. I seriously just bought a dozen Dunkin Donuts that are now in the trash cuz I decided Dunkin Donuts sold me dry donuts. Hello DUNKIN DONUTS, your donuts suck and you are going out of business unless you stop selling dry donuts to your loyal customers... SERIOUSLY?

Sweet 24

2011-03-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Today I turned 24. I love birthdays, especially mine. Growing up my mom always made me feel so special on my birthdays and I have aunt Nettie to thank for making them FUN! I remember having a sleepover when I was like 9, I think, with all my little friends and we took turns hiding everyone under a sheet so that only our feet were showing. Then we took turns guessing who's feet were who's. I know it sounds silly but I don't have a very good memory so the memories that I actually keep over the years, are truly special to me.

Today....

I killed it, on my bike at the gym which was empowering and exciting
My mom made me a special birthday smoothie
Went to H&M with mums... must have tried on 10 outfits and left with 1 for me and 8 for Zelly. Their kids section is awesome!!!! My favorite purchase is my new Justin Bieber shirt, thanks mom for the butt load of birthday clothes.
Hubs came home early from work in time to eat my favorite treat ever, STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, which my mom made especially delicious this year.
And I was showered with special birthday calls and wishes all day long from my fam and friends.
Turning 24 was fun. I am so blessed and can't help but feel unworthy of such a wonderful life. I have nothing to complain about and am just as thankful as I can be.

2011-03-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

Traveled to Las Vegas for spring break.

Had lots of fun.

Stayed out of trouble.

The END

2011-03-07T15:17:00.000-08:00

Apparently, I dress my child like a clown. Shout out to my grandma!!! Thanks for noticing cuz...

I'm a proud clown owner.

Me+SNOW=BAD

2011-02-24T23:28:00.000-08:00

Got snowed in at the cabin this past weekend... this has never happened to me before.

Working on my skills, I'm addicted now, it's midnight and I can't stop with the photoshop.

BEFORE

AFTER...

still working on how to make subtle, more realistic changes

Took lots of pics but didn't get many good ones.

Love this pic of K, zellie's cousin.

Love zellie's cousins who cruised to the cabin too.

K calls zellie KOALA because zellie is always hitching rides on her back.

more photoshop

2011-02-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

photoshop

2011-02-24T20:51:00.000-08:00

Learning how to work photoshop, know any good tricks, how about making the edges blurry or fading into the background?

little by little

2011-02-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been marveling at my little girl more than ever. She is such a blessing in mine and Jake's life. Every day, I feel like I'm looking at her as if she was just born... meaning I just stare at her and my mind goes blank, a smile creeps across my face and I pray that the moment never ends.... but then it does and there is screaming and yelling and eventually I cave and we have fruit snacks for dinner.

It's my mom's fault she taught me to

give naughty children ice cream.

... and boy, my siblings and I got a lot of ice cream growing up.

creative outlets

2011-01-08T10:00:00.000-08:00

Still searching for a creative outlet, now that my bows have taken a back seat.
SO
This woman was selling the cutest chunky jewelry for little girls at my gym.

And of coarse I thought to myself, "I could make these."

Why do these thoughts ever enter my mind?

I suspect the lack of a Y chromosome to be the only plausible answer!

Robin (my wonderful mother-in-law) showed me the ropes on jewelry making... thanks Robin.

jewelry making... maybe a possibility

BUT

The word HOBBY is now beginning to trigger awkward spasms throughout my body and I can find no peace.

HELP!

I'm going to go study, since it is the only thing I can do that keeps me clear of CRAFTS.

crafts

2011-01-07T14:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, we house-moms are always busy, running around trying to fill our schedules with activities to keep us occupied, while our children GROW.

That is why I would love to live on a farm. So that blissfull work would fill my day, instead of wondering, aimlessly around Target shopping for nicknacks and fanny packs that I don't need and visiting the most horrid store in the world... MICHAELS!

Crafts sometimes make me want to poke my eye out. I'm surprised I was able to make headbands for as long as I did, usually my attention span is pretty short. But it is a force of nature, we mothers must suffer through, refusing to twiddle our thumbs and having no housework to do, having finished the laundry, mopping, sanitizing etc. in the dead of the night because sleeping seamed like a perfectly good waste of time.

So here is a project I have completed since Christmas that seemed like a good idea at the time, but will most likely never, be attempted again... I hope.

modge podging these damn blocks

Look HERE for instructions, although I don't know why you would.

( I had more fun cleaning out my bunny's cage this week, than crafting this little delight)

This chore divider was for my sis and I wouldn't have done it for anyone else. love you james.

Happy CRAFTING peeps!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T19:21:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas, we sure did.

I'm sad for it all to be over, but mostly I just don't want to go back to school.

This is Trigger, jells's new bunny... poor guy doesn't even stand a chance. "Jells take it easy, don't squeeze too tight." I've said this so many times, in the past 3 days that now I just let Trigger scratch his way out of jelly's hands and run for his life. And believe me, she can't catch him.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

Today is Christmas Eve

I'm so excited for Jazelle's Christmas

But mostly I'm excited to simply sit down and chill with my fam.

AND NOT MAKE ANYMORE BOWS, EVER AGAIN!

It's sad to say, but making bows is not what it use to be.

Don't get me wrong I still love the excitement, a new hair accessory brings,

but I'm moving on.

So I have closed up shop and shut down the bowtastyquoi.com site.

If I really like you, you can contact me and I will possibly fill an order for you.

But most likely, NOT.

So enjoy some of these final creations for Christmas this year,

by yours truly @

BOW TASTY QUOI

Snedigar Christmas PARTAY!

2010-12-22T17:03:00.000-08:00

Last night we had the Snedigar Family Christmas Party

Spanish food as usual

these ginger peppermint cookies that were a big hit. I particularly don't care for ginger cookies but everybody else seemed to GO gooo gooo ga ga over them. So here is the recipe.

1.5 C butter shortening

2 c brown sugar

0.5 c molasses

2 eggs

4.5 c flour

4 t soda

1 t salt

2 t ground ginger

2 t cinnamon

1 t cloves

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and molasses and beat till well blended. Sift together flour, soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Stir into molasses mixture. Form into balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 in apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 375 degrees for 9 min.

Dip in white chocolate then crushed peppermint.

As I was taking pics of the partay, my aunt Becky turns to me and says, "I better be on your blog tomorrow". As I was looking through my pics, I regrettably never got a direct shot of Becky, so....

HERE IS BECKY'S BACK

(the red sweater)

Here is Becky... standing behind mother

And this is the only other pic of Becky I had... sorry Becks, better luck next time.

All the great grand kids got a popcorn ball and a crisp $5 bill from mother. This is the type of bill you never spend, you just keep it in a safe place, so the children will always remember how much love their great grandmother has to share.

This is a classic pic of this duo TH and HH..... ALWAYS LAUGHING... probably at something not really that funny, but you laugh with them anyways because their smiles are the contagious kind.

love you, love you, love you all

family pics + fab bows

2010-12-17T09:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas cards are out! I sent a Phonebook for the Snedigar family with our Christmas card. If you are a Snedigar, you will be receiving a contact sheet for my mom's side of the family.
If there are any mistakes, let me know and if you have time, please email me you and your children's full birthdays with the year included. I would like to include the year, next time I print these.

I love looking at all the cute Christmas cards and cute families during this season, it reminds me of how many blessings Heavenly Father gives us. And I am truly grateful for mine. Man, I love you guys.

1st official family pics ever to go with our first Christmas card ever!

Of coarse fab bows were required.

FREE CANVAS

2010-12-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

Keara (sis in law) just posted this deal. I have never seen them this cheep before, except for on back Friday. I tried to order the free canvas and it charged me at checkout, I am looking into it.

Whoa, be careful with this...

2010-12-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

In case you missed Holly's wedding or don't know my famous, beautiful cousin. Don't worry because the best thing there besides my stunning aunt Becky, the blushing bride and the very cute TH (a.k.a. the groom), were these babies.... RED VELVET YUMMINESS. Seriously I don't think a better recipe exists, so be careful the recipe is sure to backfire causing dramatic weight gain and Acute Cupcakeitis, which by definition is: the sudden onset of a psychological disease in which the victim exhibits a severe case of "cupcake hoarding."

If you happen to require a switch addiction, chocolate dipped strawberries may help ween you off the RVCC, but I'm not making any promises. The strawberries were also served at the reception curtsey of yours truly, which is an accomplishment in my opinion. Even though you really can't mess these puppies up, I still performed effortlessly. Now having proven my talent for meshing strawberry with chocolate am entitled to a more intricate duty for next time, such as... meshing carmel with apple or rolling the hand towels in the bathroom.

RVCC

Wisk together:

3.5 c flour

3 T cocoa powder

1.5 t: baking soda, table salt and instant espresso powder

Blend; Add:

2 c sugar

3 eggs

2 c vegetable oil

2 oz red food coloring

1.5 t vanilla

Mix in

1.5 c buttermilk

1.5 t white vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk dry ingredients together in bowl; set aside. Blend sugar and eggs in a bowl with hand mixer on medium speed until ribbons form about 5 min. With mixer running add oil in a stream until blended. Mix in food coloring and vanilla until incorporated. Mix 1/2 dry ingredients into butter mixture, followed by buttermilk and vinegar, then remaining dry ingredients; blend just until incorporated. Fill liners to just below top with batter and bake until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean, 18-22 min. Cool in pan for 20 min, transfer to rack

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pkg cream cheese, softened

1 cube unsalted butter, softened

2 t vanilla

3 T cream or milk

4-5 c powdered sugar

Cream butter and cream cheese. Add vanilla and milk, then gradually add enough powdered sugar for it to stand up firm.

Chocolate dipped strawberries
SERIOUSLY?

Shout out!

2010-12-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Shout out to my sis, miss you already.
Thanksgiving is over and you are gone so,
no more making fun of dad for using "oh birds" as a form of cussing,
no more making fun of Allen because the Cougs lost,
no more letting our children eat paint just because it keeps them quiet, and
no more feeding the kids chips and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Life is fun when you are around.

Thanksgiving + wedding

2010-11-26T21:50:00.000-08:00

Holly's wedding was so beautiful, I didn't take any photos and am kicking myself, because my aunt Becky looked like a million bucks, as did the bride of coarse. Check the bride's blog, maybe she'll post something.

Turkey day was wonderful, I am blessed to have such loving family and friends to share it with. My mom and I ran our own turkey trot by the canal, it was AWESOME. Although it was nice to skip the crowd this year, we missed the camaraderie of the race and of coarse there was no turkey to chase. It was nice though, just my mom and I. We did 6 miles, my mom ran it in 48.22 minutes and I ran it in 53.56 minutes. Need I say more, my mom is cool. This was my view most of the time... see the bright green speck? That's my mom, trashing me. Every time I thought I was catching up to her, I would look for her and the distance between us would just be greater.

The rest of the day was filled with food, fam and fun of coarse. I love Thanksgiving, I have always had so much to be grateful for.

Pre-feast, we were fighting with sticks

(jelly and cousins, tad, jonah and truly)

... and fighting with each other

The feast was delicious as always.

The setting was beautiful, courtesy of my meticulously, wonderful grandmother.

yum lemon meringue

beautiful fam

We then went to our second Thanksgiving as we always do at grandma and grandpa McLaws's, and the only picture I took was of little Liberty laying on her belly, watching a Disney movie, happy as can be.

LIFE IS GOOD!

so excited to see my sis

2010-11-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Coming up! My cousin Holly's wedding is WEDNESDAY, it's the homestretch for the M.O.B, you can do it!!!!!! I'm in charge of the chocolate strawberries, fortunately my sis jamie will be here to supervise the strawberry dipping. Also Thanksgiving is coming, which means we will be doing some turkey trotting. And finally some

cute family pics taken by my nettie. These one's actually have Jake the hubby, in them, instead of the usual cuteness... meaning, me and jells. We will be showing off my latest creations!

2010-11-20T11:34:00.000-08:00

Try and tell me this pic doesn't bring a fat smile to your face. My brother Nate, on his mish in Ecuador. Life doesn't get any better than this... except for when he gets back that is. Only 685 days to go, life is dull without him. Miss him.

Crazy Good!

2010-11-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

Wow, there are so may awesome hair accessories out there. I have been stumbling upon so many lately, I though I would post a few crazy goods ones.

Gracylu Originals

ban.do

twigs & honey

This chick, hand dyes her silk. How the heck do you do that? I need to do that, so awesome!

peace?

2010-11-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

This, should be my view more often... my feet, curled up on the couch, in the middle of the day... NAPPING. Oh, how wonderful this is. This semester I have been having a lot of trouble relieving stress. Lately, I have been really concentrating on controlling this since, I have started to feel myself, become mentally unhinged. Some coping mechanisms include:

1. reading this

2. practicing this

3. getting these

4. doing lots and lots of what I like to call "running mad"

(this is when you get to the part in your run where your opioids and endorphins and all that chemical goodness is firing like crazy and you start punching the air in front of you... you know what I'm talking about right? Well, at this point I like to make really angry faces. This helps me get out all the negative energy that I've bottled up from pretending to be nice to people's faces or the negative energy stored from driving in traffic, wrestling during diaper changing time and running out of TUMS.

But honestly,

When I focus on my perspective & attitude as well as intently praying for sanity, I feel like all the little things that I usually try to control are easily placed in the back of the refrigerator, where they will eventually become moldy and sooner or later I will be forced to throw them away FOREVER. I'm just sad that sometimes I have to buy something, punch something or pay someone to relieve my stress. I want to be like Yoda or Gandhi, crushing my physical boundaries in the blink of a funny eye. How do I become more like a guy and just, forget to stress out?

i need cake

2010-11-11T11:41:00.000-08:00

mmmmm... don't you love? This is from last night at a baby shower that was for my wonderful sister in law Shanda. Very delicious bunt cake, wish I had some today, dang why didn't I think ahead. I always sneak food for later, don't you?

Good luck to the preggers, Shanda to the left and Ash on right. It's the home stretch, you can do it!

oh family

2010-11-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

I absolutely, positively am one of the luckiest girls ever. Why is this? Well there are many reasons like... I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and parents who put up with me, a husband who is more in touch with my own feelings than even I am sometimes and a daughter who teaches me that it's okay to be righteous once in a while. Other than that I have an extended family that is fun, loving, excepting and super cute. Where is this coming from? Well my cousin Sterling flew down to AZ this past week and he Talia (another cousin), mother and I, got together and went to T.C. Eggington's @ 7:00am in the morning. Although I was not jazzed about the early morning wake up call, I could never feel more grateful than I do right now for my grandmother, that bless her heart, actually suggested 6:00am instead. I had to tell her, "No, mother 6:00am is too early,"... let's add this to the list of things mother says that is just plain funny.

We had so much fun with Stern, of coarse, he is amazing, cute, soooooooo fun and super smart, (I mean come on, the guy tells plains where they are allowed to go, he like, commands the skies.) He is always game for whatever and I love him more than anything. In fact, if you don't love Stern, there is something seriously wrong with you. So thanks to my grandmother always arranging plans, calling her grandchildren and making us pie, so she can manipulate us later into doing what she wants, I got to see my cousins Stern and Talia and eat delicious omelets and pancakes. Honestly where would this family be without our "glue" a.k.a mother snedigar... I'll tell you where... sleeping.

After Halloween specials...check

2010-11-04T11:13:00.000-07:00

Look for...

spider tea light holders

$2 @ Big Lots

(originally $8)

mice silhouettes

12 for $2.49 @ Michaels
(originally $6-7.00?)

you could probably just cut these out of black paper yourself, but it's so much funner to buy them, just doing my part to... keep up with wasteful spending

vampire beverage labels

18 for 4.99 @ Michaels

(originally $10)

cookie cutter with 6 shapes

$2.99 @ Michaels

(originally $6)

This cookie cutter was actually a waste of my 3 bucks because we both know I'm not going to be baking any cookies that don't involve frozen cookie dough in a tub.

Miss you Halloween

2010-11-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. These are pics from the McLaws family party. So fun, Frankenstein's Castle was seriously scary, I couldn't get use to the live flow of electricity being charged through the dummies. But Jake assured me it was a safe atmosphere and that there was no way Jelly was going to get shocked.

Halloween check list:

fam. party and spooky decor... check
scary movies and hot cocoa... check

   1.Young Frakenstein... hilarious
   2.Wait Until Dark... my fave
   3.Skeleton Key... peed a little
   4.Twiches... don't make fun, it was not horribly torturous, plus
   it was wholesome

5.The Labyrinth... Bowie is seriously disturbing, will never
watch again

tricks & treats & cute costumes... check... best costume I saw was a 10 year old dressed as a centaur, he literally had a horses you know what, attached to the back of his costume. Way to go mom!
8 mile run.... oooh make it 4.87... check... I mean come on I'm not Brittney P. she actually can run 8 miles, I'm pretty sure Brandy does on a regular basis too. Way to go girls, got any tips on how to push through the pain?
shopping for Halloween specials and AZ state fair... to be checked

The LABORATORY

REAL ELECTRICITY... what the... we have imaginations you know

thanks truly for my costume, miss u. x. jelly

Dr. Dave (a.k.a grandpa McLaws): You did it again, awesome set up, can't keep you and your bro from keeping it real and doing your thang on the best holiday ever, Halloween!

yes!

2010-10-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

Day 6 of my Halloween ALL week fiasco:
3 Days until Halloween

purple eyeshadow

Things to be excited for:

little kids in their costumes, excited to trick or treat,

spooky decorations,

hot coco,

scary movies until 3:00 am

crazy make-up

homemade root beer

AZ state fair

awesome annual party with fam

fabulous pictures

shopping for after Halloween specials

and an 8 mile run for 2 reasons,

A: to train for the turkey trot &

B: work off all the goodness I'm going to eat!

pumpkin carving

2010-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Day 5:

4 Days until Halloween

lighting the pumpkins...

jake did himself of coarse, mines the witch

and jells cried when we cut into her pumpkin,

yelling, "mine, mine, mine!"

2010-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Day 4:

5 Days until Halloween

costume shopping & pedicures

When I am rich, I will have a personal masseuse named Zelda and she will be fabulous and I will always have pretty feet and be in a good mood because my feet will be pretty and I will have Zelda... to make my feet pretty and rub my back.

2010-10-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Day 3:

6 Days until Halloween

craft project, candy corn & one more bow

Seriously Martha?

2010-10-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

Day 2:

7 DAYS until Halloween

Brain Cupcakes
Click to view Martha's

vs. Mine

The comparison is pretty sad. Martha is running a serious scam, her whole website is crap.
...these are the salvaged cupcakes, from my failed attempt.

And who's great idea was "CF (a.k.a cake face)" anyway. Thanks a lot HOLLY, for putting dumb ideas in my head. Jake got a serving of "CF" and now I'll I hear is, "your dead" "watch your back" and "your going down." I really am scared for what's coming.

I was laughing but jake was NOT.

WARNING: CF is for soon to be newlyweds ONLY, do not use unless you are prepared to deal with the consequences.

halloween all week

2010-10-23T22:14:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has any sense, knows that Halloween is the best holiday ever. You get to finally roll your windows down while driving in the car, inhale candy, and cause a little mayhem without getting into trouble. Since, I have been so preoccupied, I am determined to celebrate Halloween everyday this week, because soon it will be over and I will be sad. I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I may have to involve Martha Stewart on this one, since as of now, I'm out of ideas.

Day 1:

made some FALL bows for me and jells
documented said bows
bought pumpkins, for carving, even though pumpkin carving makes me want to hurl, we are going to do it anyway.

your momma

2010-10-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

I know I talk about my mom to pretty much anyone that will listen, but that is only because I think she is so awesome and inspirational. She is extremely smart, always filling my head with politics, ideals and a vocabulary that is seemingly useless to someone such as myself, I mean come on I have never even finished a crossword puzzle, how old do you have to be to do those things anyway? They should put an age limit on those things like they do on kid toys, so I don't feel like such a loser when I can't fill in any of the blanks.

Anyways, nothing has ever stopped her from living a life full of passion and interest. Now, I know that this opinion may be a little biased and that there are other people in the world with awesome moms too, such as my sister and 2 brothers. But I think my feelings are relevant to pretty much anyone that has a good relationship with their mother. They raise us and teach how to accomplish our goals. So I consider myself typical, not extreme when it comes to my views concerning my awesomely, hard core, woodworker/ welder/ painter/ stockbroker/ basketball player of a mom.

playin in the rain

2010-10-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

It rained a little this morning, so we played a little and then studied a little. Favorite quote: "Heavenly Father and I have the same taste in colors, we both like greens and browns and blues." Mother Snedigar. I laugh every time I think of that, it's just like her to sing "I Love the Mountains" and say random things. Here's another one of my faves:

moth: "oh yeah spacebook, no I don't have a spacebook account."

me: "you mean facebook, right"

moth: "yeah that's what I said spacebook"

My mom and I just laughed and tried to see how many times we could get her to say, "spacebook" I don't know why, it just sounded funny. Even though we were secretly making fun of her "old people syndrome" we were laughing with her, not at her. And if you know moth, you'll know that's the honest truth.

LITTLE BLACK CAMERA

2010-10-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

Sorry this picture stinks, but sometimes in the best moments all you have is the crappy camera on your phone. My cousin Holly was playing "Ring Around the Rosie" with the kids on Sunday. So cute, the girls were laughing like they were at the circus. Oooh a circus would be fun, let's do that. I just love my soon to be married Holly, she deserves all the happiness in the world and then some.

p.s.

WHAT IS THE BEST LITTLE CAMERA?

You know like that little black dress, I want a camera that will fit in my pocket and work like magic. Any suggestions?

2010-10-13T09:53:00.000-07:00

Made these a while back and never posted pics, I wanted to make sure to document them. Nothing spectacular, but fun.

XXXX

"let's do makeup"

2010-10-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

This summer when we were at my sis's, big Al gave truly & jelly the nicknames tom & jerry because they were playing nice sometimes but fighting most of the time. So as much as I hate fighting I could use a little tom & jerry right now. I miss my Trues.

Dear Truly: Jelly misses you. When do we get to play again? Let's do makeup & dress up when we see you. Thanks for being so sweet to jelly, you always turn the other cheek, even when jelly slaps it.

sunday night brownie fever

2010-09-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

JEALOUS MUCH?

BEST thing about the,

MADE FROM SCRATCH

brownies that are delectably delicious & famous is that...

I didn't have to make them!

...momsie (a.k.a. grandma) did

...nice mom, jelly definitely needs that bowl of mix

...that's better

i just love you mom, more than chocolate.

Penelope & Matilda

2010-09-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

TO my dearest Penelope:

You are beautiful and spirited,

never forget what you mean to me.

TO my dearest Matilda:

You are so tender and sweet,

know, that you are in my dreams.

Penelope

Matilda