Amber and Josh's Baby Q

 Last September was full of celebrations.  So full...it's taken me months to catch up.  Being busy with blessings is always a good thing.  My friend Amber was getting ready to welcome her first baby into the world.  I ended up getting to be a part of two showers for her-one coed with friends and family, and one on work with coworkers.  We work together, but also live close, so....it's a win-win.  Since the coed one had boys, BUT she was expecting a girl....we decided on the most masculine pink thing we could come up with. Her husband is also a cop, so...the sheriff badge cupcakes were a little nod to that as well.

 I was in charge of drinks, decorations, dining ware (wanted to stick to the d-but...plates, napkins, utensils etc) and desserts.  I used my stash of mason jars and filled them up with pink lemonade.  Incidentally, it's frightening to realize how many mason jars I own.

 Another friend was in charge of the main dishes.  I pulled together a punch of decorations to help throw a little western into each area.

 I save things from shower to shower...I've used these metal containers for a few dozen showers....galvanized tubs and I also have an intimate relationship.  I used fall hay stacks for the table.  I keep them wrapped though b/c the hay is pretty over powering.  These little horses are from the dollar tree.  Score.

 I love this picture of Mom and Dad....a little blurry, but....I'll call it art.  Josh's Dad is about to bless the food.

 Party in full swing.

 Desserts also included cobblers in mini mason jars.

 The house was busting at the seems....another good problem to have.
I made this little rag garland, and her sister (in charge of invites and favors) brought some bbq sauce that she picked up in Kansas City (where Amber went to college).  She got spicy and sweet and made some fun tags.

I love having a blog b/c, more than sharing this with others, I get to document my friends as their blessings grow.  I know there will be first birthdays, more babies, someday celebrations and fun memories their kids bring....and I'll get to sit down every once in awhile and remember just how faithful God is....how in the midst of all our questions He has all these answers just waiting for us to experience in the future.  

Save Some Room with Your Ribbon

 Ribbon has taken over my world.  I love it.  I have to have it.  When I need it-I go buy more so I don't have to use my stash.  It's  sick, sick world.  I have boxes and boxes of ribbon, and I'm working on an organization solution that makes all my supplies more appealing to the eye, BUT in the meantime, I saw this idea for making your ribbon take up less room via the kreative jewel.  Here was my ribbon before.  Don't get me wrong, this isn't all the ribbon I own, it's just all I'm willing to share!

 I wrapped it around larger tongue depresser (popsicle sticks) I snagged at the craft store.  It takes up, literally, less than have the space.

You can push a pin in to hold it, but I decided to use masking tape so that there wouldn't be a little hole in my precious stash.  Should I ever use it, that would be unappealing.  I have gone through at least two of these bins now and all the ribbon fits inside one container.  Stay tuned, someday....I'm going to unveil a really snazzy new craft space....just as soon as I actually put one together.

Frosted Mirrors

I'm taking some 'snow' themed crafts to GMT and so I decided it was time to 'frost' a few things.  I've done glass before, but I decided to try out some looking glasses.  I've seen 'stuff' like this for sale.  You can use any glass, but I bought some small glasses in different shapes and a few stencils and frosted glass (sold where the rest of the spray paint is sold).  

 I cut the stencil down to fit and then just used some painter's tape to hold it in place.

I sprayed a few coats of paint (it looks clear at first), but give it ten minutes and you can peel off the tape for frosted mirrors.  I'm making a small collection of these in different shapes and sizes.  I found my mirrors near the stain glass section at Hobby Lobby for just a few bucks.

Caesar Pasta Salad

My favorite place to collect recipes are from friends.  One of my work pals recently brought this to a potlock and I LOVED it.  The addition of pasta made it hearty enough to really be filling.  It was a great mix of flavor to make it a little more exciting that traditional Caesar salads.

Caesar Pasta Salad

Ingredients:1 box of penne pasta (cooked according to box directions), one bunch of romaine lettuce, 5 green onions (chopped), cherry tomatoes (to taste), shaved Parmesan (to taste), croutons (to taste), your favorite Caesar dressing (I used the whole bottle).
Instructions:  Toss everything together just before serving.

Banana Bread....Straight From the Freezer

 My quest in the culinary world is finding things you can freeze.  I don't know why.  I guess I'm fascinated by freezing fresh things that :gasp: don't taste like they were frozen when you were ready to use them.  I've known for years that those busy, browning bananas make a mean banana bread, in fact-we wait for this, but....it seems like I buy bananas when I'm trying to eat a little healthier, and I want banana bread when....well, I'm not.
So...when the banana's go bad, I usually toss them, or if I want bread, I have to buy bananas and try to be patient....what's that?  I'll work on that in my 40's.

But....alas, smarter people that I cross my path.  Someone told me that you can take your bananas that are ready to be born into a bread and freeze them at this stage until you are ready for them.  What?  Just smell those browning bananas and make sure they don't smell rotten, if they still smell sweet, peel them, stick them in a bag, mash them and freeze them.  3 bananas=2 cups (which is what most recipes call for).  When you are ready to use them, just run them under some warm water and you are ready to go.  This will last 6+ months in your freezer.  Most diets don't last more than three months, so it's a win.

Bathroom Update

 12 years ago, when I moved into my house, I was going to do redo this bathroom....soon.  I hung a few dried flowers on the wall to hold the place of the future improvements...and then....I promptly decided I didn't really care that much about my bathroom.

 Recently, my brother, the nomad, moved in for a bit as he transitioned back into the area, and he took over the guest room, which housed some antiques I did care about.  He didn't appreciate them, which normally, I'd ignore, but I decided if I could find a home for them, I could then turn my guest room into a craft room.  I craft every day.  I have guest about once a month.
I'm still working, but here are a few additions.  In another twelve years....I might add something to balance out the left side.

 The mirror is from my great grandparents house.  I found a drawer at an antique mall and hung one of the two pictures that hung in my mom's room growing up.  I have a think against silk flowers, but I like dried flowers, in particular, lavender.

Here is picture number dos.  I also found this make up tray at an antique store that I used to layer it.  

Here is the other wall....I'm going through a layered picture frame phase.  The vanity was this gold mirror when I moved in, and I was going to replace the lights asap...but...if I did everything I wanted to do, what would I do?  

I have no idea what was going on with the towels here, don't be disturbed, I've since changed them.