Love and Respect

There's an amazing conference for couples coming to Charlotte, North Carolina over Valentines Day (much more bang for your buck than a Hallmark card) weekend! The topic is LOVE and RESPECT ! Dr. Emmerson Eggrichs and his wife Sarah offer couples a fun-filled opportunity to enrich their marriages. It's not your typical conference, and I can promise you won't leave disappointed. :) Wouldn't you girls LOVE to feel LOVED... even more than you already do?? And for you guys out there, how about feeling your wife's RESPECT for you without any doubt? Let the Eggrichs share their secret recipe for a godly, healthy, and fulfilling marriage. If you'd like to take a sneak peak you can check out this clip!

Decorations and Decorating

This post may wind up being a little bit lengthy, but I've got to talk about two of my favorite things: decorating and decorations. Valentines Day is coming quickly, and I'm glad for one reason only. I get to pull out some decorations. J and I don't 'celebrate' V Day, but it's still fun to bring some loooove into our home. I'm not sure whether the boys even notice my decorations anymore, but that's okay too. So, let me share a few of my favorites with you!

The tulips are by-far my absolute favorite. I found some a couple of years ago in Costco that lasted for an entire month (at least). They came in a glass vase - one dozen - and were very reasonable in price. They were really cool. The bulbs were visible on the bottom, and you could see the roots... in a pretty way of course (trust me!).

This is a picture of my kitchen mantle. It's still a work in progress. We painted recently, and I'm still trying to figure out what I want up there.

My final thought for this evening. I need some help decorating. I'd like to make window treatments for the room adjacent to my kitchen. It's not a formal living room, and it's not our family room. I guess it's something in between! Check out the picture below and send me a comment or suggestion if you would. I think I want drapes, but more decorative than functional. Maybe a cornice above? I just ordered some fabric swatches from Calico Corner. Hopefully you guys can help me make a decision on the style and colors. I'll post more pictures soon. Oh, and I want to do a simple valance in the kitchen too. Help!

One Christmas Ago

I've had this cute Christmas picture sitting on my kitchen hutch just waiting to be filed away. My oldest son, Sean, made it in Art class sometime prior to Christmas. Have you ever wanted to just keep some of your holiday favorites out for a little while longer? This is one of those favorites for me. There's something about the vibrancy of the colors, and the feeling of whimsy it gives that makes it fun. Maybe it will find it's way back out next Christmas in mass production. I'd love to find a way to incorporate it into our family Christmas card. Any suggestions?

It's Pink

Shutterfly is such a cool company. You can get creative while preserving picture memories. Last year Conor had an 'all about me' week. He had to make a poster with pictures of himself and special loved ones to share with his class. I know this is probably sounding all too familiar to one of my more recent posts. :) Yes, yet again - I stepped in to save the artistic moment! Heaven forbid my five year old create a representation of himself in his own little creative way!

Long story short: I found Shutterfly. I thought I'd hit the jackpot when I realized we (I) could create a poster (store front quality) for $25. Better yet - I'd hang it in Conor's room when he had finished displaying it in his classroom. I went out and bought a gigantic 20x30 frame. Figured the poster would be more 'safe' that way. What I didn't factor into the equation, was the fact that your average 5 year old can't carry a 5lb frame that's the same size as him!!!!! The custom poster arrived in all of it's beauty, and yes, it was way too nice to send to school. And I was a way-crazy mom for ever having thought otherwise. We wound up making an adorable poster board version for the classroom, and one year later... I'm painting the original frame. The frame will match the red Pottery Barn Kids frames that are already in his room - I hope. When I opened the jar of paint Jim said "it's pink". Will this project ever make it's planned destination?!?!?

Sparoni (Spah-Roni)

I made up a new recipe last night, and it turned out to be a hit with both Jim and the boys. If you're a crazy (well, maybe not crazy... like me!), busy mom ~ you'll love this meal. It's quick and EASY!

Sparoni

1 lb. elbow macaroni noodles

1 lb. ground beef

1 small clove garlic - crushed

29 oz. tomato puree

15 oz. tomato sauce (I prefer Contadina... it seems to be less tangy)

1 tbs. sugar

Italian seasoning

Salt & Pepper

1 c. whipping cream

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Cook noodles, drain and set aside. Brown ground beef with garlic and Italian seasoning. Drain meat and return to pan. Add next five ingredients with a couple shakes of Italian seasoning and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and whipping cream. Add cooked noodles, cover and keep on low heat until ready to serve.

* I allowed my completed dish to stay on a low light (covered) for 30 minutes. The sauce thickened. If you want it more 'saucy' eat it right away.

So Sneaky!

Oh, I'm going to be sooooo busted if I happen to get caught by Jim!!! He gave me an earful earlier today. Said that he was ready to toss the computer out! Now I know this blogging thing will definitely have to be kept under cover. :)

Today has been a 1st grade school "family project" day. I LOVE the term... family project -heh! Did anyone say one more thing for Mommy to do?!?!?!? I'm seriously at the point where I believe our beloved teachers (God Bless each one of you - you are truly a blessing!) get to the point where they need a little assistance in keeping the hallways looking cute. ;o) Some days I wish I could just throw the stuff together and call it a project, but for those of you who know me... well, that's not an option. The OCD side of me kicks in, and down goes an entire day. And I wonder why I can't keep myself organized! The bright side in all of this was the final outcome: a day spent digging up long forgotten photographs of my sweet second child, Conor. Better yet, Conor spent a good chunk of time shuffling through the pictures by my side. I don't take time with my children one-on-one as often as I should. So, thank you 1st grade teachers!!

Entering the world of BLOG!

Well, I never thought this day would come... :) The day when I took my time spent on the net to a "whole 'nother level". Oh boy, this may have to be our secret for now. I think Jim (my loving husband) might get a little uptight if he catches me involved in another project. Other than housework, cooking, financing, soccer shuttling, homework helping, doggie foot cleaning (I'll explain more later), friend counseling, oooh the list could go on forever!

Today was a great day! I spent my morning at a roller skating birthday party. What a blast from the past. While lacing my son Conor's skates memories started to flood my mind. The smell - not too pleasant at that! The music and even the lighting. Oh, and can't forget that disco ball hanging in the middle of the rink. Remember the graffiti on the bathroom doors?!? This place had it all. I didn't skate, but kind of wish I had. Barry Manilow was singing in the back of my mind as the couples were called to the floor. To be young and carefree again!

This afternoon was just as fun. Sean had a pick-up soccer game, and Jim took Conor along. I went to my sweet friend Laura's to celebrate her daughter's first birthday. Lillian Grace turned one!! I can still remember trekking out in the chilly night air to meet my beautiful goddaughter for the first time. She was so very tiny and delicate. It's so hard to believe she's starting to say words and trying to walk independently. Time really does fly!

Today was a good reminder of the years I've been blessed by motherhood with. My oldest son will turn 12 in a few weeks. It doesn't seem possible. Six more - oh, I can't even put down the words. I will choose to enjoy each and every day that I'm blessed with! The years will pass, but I've still got the here and now. Rejoice and be glad in it!

Happy Birthday, sweet Lily!