Nearly every girl likes hearts. We start doodling them on our homework in elementary, we put them next to our name in high school, and we post them on Facebook status updates no matter how old we are. Valentines Day is the perfect time to use hearts in your home decor. I wasn't actually planning on re-doing my mantel since my winter snowflakes have only been up for about a month, but then my sister sent me a picture of her Valentines mantel, and I changed my mind. Here is her mantel - I love her window!
It has been an exceptionally mild January anyway, so I wasn't really feeling the snowflakes anyway. I decided to make another burlap pennant because this project is so simple but looks so good! Plus, I plan to use it for photo sessions with couples, so I'll get a lot of use out of it after using it on my mantel!
I added a small string of heart shaped lights and two red candle lanterns. All of these items are from the dollar spot at Target - love it! I also added some heart picks to my arrangement.
I love them. I'm also in love with the lighted sticks which were an after Christmas clearance find.
I made my coordinating burlap place-mat as well since I had lots of burlap and its just so easy to work with.
I love stencils! It looks so good, but its truly so simple.
I spray painted some chipboard letters - we're talking 75 at Hobby Lobby and I love them! I plan to use these for photo sessions as well, so my Valentines decor is turning out to be really functional.
I attempted to make a no-sew pillow case for my couch...however...I wasn't thrilled with it so it got demoted to the front porch. It looks perfectly fine out there.
I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of my Valentine's decor! I would love to see yours! Upload a picture to my Facebook wall if you would like to share.
Super Bowl Sunday...I was trying to recall, I believe its been about 5 years since the last time I went to a Super Bowl party. Sounds about right since Landon is five years old! When you have kids if you actually want to watch the game (or the commercials...you know) you stay home where they have their toys, their rooms, their beds. That's where my kids are as I type this post and take in the second half of Super Bowl XLVI. I've gotta admit, I'm pretty content to be taking it in in my favorite pair of sweats and a t-shirt! The kids did get to see some of the game.
Savannah loved the National Anthem and always likes cheerleaders! Landon picks the Patriots to win. One special super bowl memory of mine is Landon's first... He came home from his 11 day hospital stay the day before the Super Bowl! Whenever this day rolls around I always recall that year when not only were the Colts playing, but I also got to spend it cuddling my baby boy for the first time at home.
I did, of course make some special snacks for the occasion. I thought I would share those with you as both were really good and worth trying. The first was a Pinterest discovery, and this was my first time making it.
Sausage and Pepperoni Pizza Puffs. I love using my Kindle to view recipes when I'm trying something I found online.
These puffs were really yummy and not difficult to make. You'll need a mini-muffin pan. I didn't have one but found one for only $4 at Walmart. I've been wanting one to make some mini-cupcakes anyway!
You use mini pepperoni for the recipe. Are they cute or what? Why is everything cute when its small?
Its a lot like a pizza muffin mix! And the results are great. Serve them with some warmed pizza sauce - great appetizer for a party or just for a family night. You can find the recipe here at "Plain Chicken."
The Buffalo Chicken Dip seemed to be a popular choice this year! I love all things Buffalo and this recipe is delicious!
I am going to link the recipe, but you should know I tweaked it just a little bit. Instead of ranch dressing I used Blue Cheese (you've just gotta with Buffalo!) I also added some fresh celery. I wish I had put even more in the dip. I loved that addition. Also, I would have preferred to use rotisserie chicken. I think the flavor would be better. However, Walmart's Deli was out of them by the time I got there today.
My only complaint is that the recipe wasn't spicy enough for me. I would probably prefer more hot sauce. For those of you who like it mild - you'll really enjoy this version of the dip! You can find the recipe here from Taste of Home.
I also made a pecan apple dip for dessert, but it was just a mix that I had. (That is my finished pottery that I made, by the way! Isn't it pretty with the color and glaze?)
I was happy with my snacks, happy in my sweats, and over-all content to be watching this Super Bowl while blogging away.
One more thing before I go! A link to my favorite Super Bowl commercial (I think its adorable and hilarious!) I have a little boy who really enjoys this as well. Even if you saw it tonight, its worth watching again. Happy Sunday. Hope yours was super!
One of the best things about February are the sweets that come with it. I've always felt that food is a wonderful gift...especially on the heels of Christmas when, lets be honest, most of us have just received all of the presents that were on our wishlist. So how about a mini sweets bar for your sweetie, best friend, family, or co-workers?
It looks pretty...and tastes good. I know I've mentioned it before but I love photographing food! I think I would truly love to be a food stylist...and yes that is a thing! What a fun job.
These parfaits are my own little creation and they are super yummy. I'll be blogging the recipe later this week, but for now I just wanted to make your mouth water.
And don't forget all of the forms that chocolate comes in! Hot chocolate is perfect in the chill of February (*even though the weather seems to be slightly confused right now...) To make a mug of hot chocolate extra special just add some of these adorable marshmallows which you can only get around Valentines Day!
Pile some of these in a mug full of cocoa and take it to someone special. (Or go ahead and enjoy it yourself!) Also, my kids (and I...) really love snacking on these too - and marshmallows are fat free so they must be healthy... (ha)
A sweets bar doesn't have to be elaborate. A couple of bakes goodies and candy looks elaborate.
Iced home-made sugar cookies are a simple classic. (I got the cookie cutters in the $1 spot at Target.)
I also made these cupcake bites which were really fun to make but definitely for special occasions as they are a little bit time-consuming. If you've ever made cake pops, this is the same concept.
Are they cute or what? I got the recipe and instructions for these on one of my favorite blogs - Bakerella. I thought instead of trying to explain it all myself I would just link you to her amazing site. To make these just follow this link (and be sure to check the rest of her goodies while you're there!)
Mine didn't turn out perfectly, but it was my first time, so its a learning process. They taste amazing!
Don't you love how everything changes with time? Even candy conversation hearts now include phrases like "Sup Babe?" and my new favorite - LOL. Love it.
Thank you so much for checking out this post. I know Valentines Day is a couple of weeks away, but I wanted to share early just in case anyone needed some inspiration. To all of my blog readers, I love that you take the time to come to my site on a regular basis! I just want to say...
Today is the last day of January and I love February because it is littered with hearts, candy, balloons, and red - my favorite color. I wanted to go ahead and take some Valentines photos of my two little sweethearts because I saw a great deal for making personalized photo valentines (you know the little cards that take you back to being a kid - I love them!) on Minted.com. (If you're a new customer check it out.) I love how the pictures turned out and just had to share them with you! Farewell, January... February, bring on the love.
There is something amazing about this photo. Not the lighting or the composition, not even the idea which is not something I can not take credit for. What is amazing about this photo is what it represents...the start of life, and birth of not only a new baby girl, but of a new family. I feel so blessed to have been able to photograph Parker and when she was five days old (or maybe I should say new) along with her mommy and daddy who were just beaming with pride. It makes me smile now just thinking of how sweet she was! Please follow this link to see her gorgeous, tiny face. You might just fall in love!
Five years ago today my life was forever changed. On January 24, 2007 I became mom to Landon Cade Price, who taught me from the very beginning that all of my "plans" couldn't change the truth - that kids don't always go by the plan! Landon was born 7 weeks before he was due, catching me by complete surprise. He weighed only 4 lbs and 8 oz. I will never forget the moment after he was born as they were cleaning him up and getting him oxygen when I realized I wouldn't get to hold him. This wasn't the way that I pictured it, but they rolled him over beside me and let me look at him...
When we were on our way to the hospital I was actually quite positive that my labor would stop so I didn't pack a bag and I did not even grab my camera. It is my biggest regret to this day. Landon showed up just 4 hours after we arrived in the ER. These pictures were taken during his stay in the NICU.
While he was in the NICU, I practically lived there. I stayed all day every day as much as I possibly could. I bathed him, fed him his tiny bottles, and I sang to him... Leaving him in the hospital was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I would lay awake at night thinking of how he had spent months listening to the sound of my voice and I wondered if he missed it. I decided I would sing one song to him every time I was at the hospital so he would know that I was there. A song that I knew - although I'm not even quite sure where I learned it - came to mind because it talked about longing to be with someone you loved who is far from you.
Despite the nurses telling me that Landon would have to stay until close to his due date, Landon was strong and he was discharged after only eleven days! I was thrilled to take him home, and to this day I still sing his lullaby to him. He knows all of the words and often sings along...
I see the moon and the moon sees me,
Down shines the light through the old oak tree,
Please let the light that shines on me,
shine on the one I love.
Over the mountain, over the sea,
Back where my heart is longing to be,
Please let the light that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.
Landon, I love you. Thank you for making my world shine so brightly.
