86,400 Seconds in a Day

In general I'm not a huge Americal Idol fan. No reason really, I just don't have that much time to watch T.V. and there are other shows higher on my must see list. I realize I may be the last person on earth to find out about Kris Allen. Lately I've been bouncing around to this song; I find it very catchy and the song's sentiment especially meaningful.



Live Like We're Dying Lyrics

Sometimes we fall down, can't get back up
We're hiding behind skin that's too tough
How come we don't say I love you enough
Till it's to late, it's not too late

Our hearts are hungry for a food that won't come
And we could make a feast from these crumbs
And we're all staring down the barrel of a gun
So if your life flashed before you,
What would you wish you would've done

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

And if your plane fell out of the skies
Who would you call with your last goodbye
Should be so careful who we live out our lives
So when we long for absolution,
There'll no one on the line, yeah

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying..

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

You never know a good thing till it's gone
You never see a crash till it's head on
Why do we think we're right when we're dead wrong
You never know a good thing till it's gone

Yeah, we gotta start
Looking at the hands of the time we've been given
If this is all we got and we gotta start thinking
If every second counts on a clock that's ticking
Gotta live like we're dying

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying

Like we're dying, oh, like we're dying..

We only got 86,400 seconds in a day to
Turn it all around or to throw it all away
We gotta tell them that we love them
While we got the chance to say
Gotta live like we're dying..

Anyone you need to say I love to? Anything you wish you'd done but haven't?

Thank You and Accessories Inspired

Thank you all so very much for the sweet comments, and emails. I appreciate the support and inspiring stories from everyone. It's so good to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that so many people are keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. It all means a lot to me and has helped me recover a bit of my equilibrium.

One reason I don't normally talk to much about my personal struggles is because I feel there is already so much negativity in life. It would be easy for me to get caught up in that. So I make a conscious effort to focus on the positive and the many blessings I have, instead of what I don't. Most of the time I can find something good in any situation, I was just having a hard time and kind of lost my way for awhile. Really, truly...thank you all for helping me see the sunshine again☺ For me, the best part of blogging has always been the friends and connections I've made. I enjoy learning the stories of each of you. It's helped break down the barriers of distance and enabled me to meet and befriend many I would not otherwise have ever met. One of my closest friends is also my partner and co-founder on ABC & 123: A Learning Cooperative.

Katie from A List Maker's Life is actually also in Michigan but a few hours away. We've only met in person once, but email and talk on the phone frequently. She's amazing; I don't know how she juggles so many responsiblities at once. Plus she just added one more, an really fun Etsy store, Accessories Inspired. I was her second purchase☺

The necklace I picked out was handmade using layered pieces of repurposed and vintage jewelry. It features textured silver strands, a scattering of pale purple beads, and gray & white felt flowers. The white tie is adjustable to fit whichever outfit or style I'm wearing and makes it appropriate for year round wear. I love it and it's all the more special because of the sweet list maker behind it. Who managed to create something beautiful, even while taking care of three little ones with baby number four on the way. Plus calm down a frazzled blogging partner over the phone.

What has been the best part of blogging for you? If you aren't personally blogging, but do read and enjoy others, what draws you to them?

A Bend in the Road

It's been longer than normal between posts; I've been in a bit of funk and feeling overwhelmed. I'm having a bit of a why me God moment right now. I do not normally talk about personal things, because I like to keep things private when it comes to anything health related. However, I have alluded to being diabetic and I know many of you know about my condition.

For the past several months I've been taking part in preconception counseling because ideally a diabetic should have tightly controlled blood sugar levels prior to, during pregnancy, and while breastfeeding. I've been closely monitoring, recording, and adjusting medications along with starting insulin again. All the work seemed to be paying off and last week I'd been given the go ahead from the perinatologists. aka high risk pregnancy specialists.

Then I met with my endocrinologist and found out that last months test indicated a higher level in one of the labs. What does this mean? Well for starters a "fun" five hour test that involves fifteen minute interval blood draws. Dependant on the results I may need a scan and worst case scenario, or best depending on how you look at it, I may need to have a very small tumor removed. Best case because if I have the condition being tested for the removal would mean that it might "cure" my high blood pressure. Worst because this would of course set back our baby number two plans at least three more months.

We have been ready to add to our family for about two years now, but because of various reasons outside of our control, we've had to put them on hold. Up until now I've been pretty philosophical about it, thinking of it as time to get my body in shape for a pregancy and that we're not in a rush. Plus we are already blessed to have one wonderful little girl. Now I am feeling so frustrated and having a tough time accepting a further delay. I just can't stand being in this state of unknown.

I am trying to remember that often the path you think is right for you, might not part of God's plan. Like how I really really DID NOT want to move to Santa Fe from California, but it ended up being a wonderful thing. Brad and I were able to have our first child and I was surrounded by very supportive and caring co-workers, who in many cases stepped in to provide the daily support my long distance family could not. Plus I had excellent medical and guidance through the shocking - to me anyway - diagnosis of having type II diabetes and learning how to care for myself and manage it during pregnancy and after. I am praying that God's reveals his plan soon.

Review and Giveaway: Wow Wow Wubbzy Goes Green DVD

This giveaway is now closed, thank you to everyone who entered! Congratulations to ruthhill74, comment #10, who said: We recycle and combine car trips when possible.

In celebration of Earth Day I have Wow Wow Wubbzy Goes Green DVD giveaway for you! Come along with Wubbzy and his friends as they learn valuable lessons about being friends of the plant and going green. Already a popular show in our house, ER loves this DVD! It features several episodes that get viewers interested in the environment and recycling in colorful and fun way that is easily accessible to preschoolers, along with silly and catchy tunes. While we'd already seen them all on TV previously, it was really nice to have them all compiled together. See how Wubbzy, Widget, and Walden find out that building a new playground has consequences for the animals that live in trees that are cut down to make room for it. See them realize that their animal friends are best suited for their natural habitat and of course solve the problem by the end of the episode.

Another story included in the video shows the residents of Wuzzleburg that their favorite new drink's bottle is causing a major problem. What do they do all the the bottles? See all the creative uses they find for reusing them. On another, Wubbzy only wants to eat the same fruit every day all day, will he every tire of it?

To help celebrate the new release – and Mother Earth! – Anchor Bay has partnered with the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). For every “Wubbzy Goes Green” DVD sold, Anchor Bay will donate $1 to ACT to help support the planting of trees in playgrounds and schoolyards across the country! The special tree-planting initiative “sprouts” on April 1 and continues through May 31, 2010.

And to further ”plant the seeds” of green-themed consciousness among the budding environmentalists in your family, following are some tips and cool “tree trivia” inspired by “Wubbzy Goes Green” and ACT:

• Take along washable cups or travel mugs instead of disposables.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Volunteer with community organizations that plant trees like the Alliance for Community Trees!

If you'd like to win a copy of Wow Wow Wubbzy Goes Green on DVD, please tell me how your family goes green

If you'd like to follow, subscribe, or fan my blog, tweet or link to this giveaway, post my button, etc. I'd appreciate it! Tell me if you do in another comment and earn another entry☺ Open through May 6th, EST midnight to US residents.



Disclaimer: A copy of this DVD was provided to me for review and this post relates my own personal and unbiased opinion. Yours may differ. Thank you to the sponsor for providing a giveaway copy, directly to the winner.

Fresh Picked

Some times the most precious flower bouquets, are really weeds, but treasured all the more because of who's little fingers did the picking.

She insists these dandelions smell bee-you-ti-ful and are the most bestest flowers I have ever gotten. I think I have to agree.

Participating in Wordless Wednesday at: Jolly Mommy, Go Graham Go, A Lot of Loves, Two of a Kind Working on a Full House, and Five Minutes for Mom and Wordfull Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus.

Mom's Bean Soup

My favorite part about Easter leftovers is turning the ham into bean soup! My mom has made this soup as long as I can remember. It's based on one she found in a Betty Crocker cookbook she received in the 70s, and with the removal of the salt and addition of carrots, it's been a family favorite ever since. This soup is so good that I love it, even though I am 1.) not big on beans - this is in fact the only way I eat navy beans and 2.) not normally a soup fan. When my family came over to help assemble ER's playscape Mom made a big pot of soup for everyone and I got the leftovers to enjoy during the week. Mmmmm!

BEAN SOUP

1 lb. dried navy beans
7 cups water
1/2 to 3/4 cup onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 meaty ham soup bone
1 bay leaf
Black pepper to taste

In a colander, sort, rinse and drain dried navy beans, carefully removing any stones or dirt. Add to soup pot with 7 to 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil, uncovered, watching carefully so the water doesn’t boil over. Turn down the heat and boil gently for 2 minutes. Cover the pot and remove from heat. Let stand one hour. Add ham bone with meat, onion, carrots, bay leaf and pepper. Bring to a boil, watching carefully. Cover and turn to lowest heat until beans are tender – about one to one and a half hours. Stir occasionally to prevent beans from sticking to the bottom. Add a little more water if necessary. Test beans for doneness. Remove ham bone and bay leaf from pot. Using a potato masher, mash the beans and carrots in the soup. (I find I can over-blend the soup if I’m not careful using a stick blender – my family likes to see a few beans floating around.) Remove meat from bone and chop. Return the meat to the soup. Serve and enjoy!

Approximately 6-8 servings

For more inspiration for meal time, check out: Tasty Tuesdays at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, Tuesday at the Table at All the Small Stuff, and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday on Blessed with Grace.

The Big Reveal!

Here it is, our finished project, ER's new playscape! She was so excited to see it completed and kept hugging Daddy and saying, "I love it!" She climbed right up and tried out the slide.

This is our first big project, as former apartment dwellers, for years we never had to do much more than change a few lights. We started work a week ago yesterday, when my parents and MIL Norma and Ray came over the help with some heavy lifting. Brad worked hard each night attaching railings and on Friday, Norma and Ray came back over to help add the roof.

Thank you to our family for their help and of course a big thank you to Brad for working so hard on it! This past week was a little stressful with Brad working all day at the lab and then coming home to work more, but it was all worth it to hear ER's little squeals of happiness! I know we're going to get a lot of use out of it this summer!

Workspace: Preschool Memory Books

This is why I have not had anything crafty to post lately, well an edited version, I cleaned up a bit. Spent all last night working on the Thanksgiving page and starting the Christmas party. As anyone who's made holiday cards in bulk knows, even the simplest thing design can take a long time to do over and over. Leaving me little time for anything else, can I get them done by next month? Keep your finger's crossed for me.

UPrinting Giveaway: 250 Custom Stickers

Giveaway now closed, thank you to everyone who entered! Congratulations to TheAngelForever, comment #22 who said,"You are on my Blogroll"

Whoohoo for my readers, another giveaway, this makes two days in a row!

My blog sponsor UPrinting makes the best quality stickers, I know cause I have some. I was very happy with the color quality. I used them as personalized book plates and liked them so much I made matching custom postcards, also from UPrinting, and made up darling stationary gift sets. If you win you'll be halfway towards creating an awesome gift!

Digital scrapers can do all sorts of things with custom designed stickers and labels. They'd be great promotional items for businesses. I plan to use mine as teacher gifts, trust me, as a former teacher, I know they have a million uses for labels. I'm going to design a 2X4 sized custom sticker using a cute school themed kit I have and leave a spot for her to write on it with a sharpie. That way she'll have lots of flexibility on how to use them.

Giveaway:

250 Stickers/Labels for One (1) WinnerSizes: 2 x 3.5, 2 x 4 or 3 x 3
Paper Stock: 70 lb Label Matte coating
Specifications: Full Color Front and Blank back (4/0); 6 Business Days Turnaround
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only

To Enter:
Just leave me a comment on this post; I'd love to know what you might use the custom stickers for!

Extra Entries: {Leave a separate comment for each additional method.}

• Follow my blog publicly.
• Subscribe to my blog via email.
• Post my link button and/or add me to your blog roll
• Fan me on Facebook.
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet this giveaway with @KTnestingspot in it.
• Join my Blog Frog Community and say hello!

Good luck! Giveaway will end in one week, on the 24th at midnight EST. Please note open to US residents 18 years and older.



Disclaimer: Thank you to UPrinting for giveaway and blogger appreciation prize.

Motor Oil Matters: $35 Jiffy Lube Gift Card Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed, congratulations to Ticia, comment #4 who said, "That I am not a sever driver." Thank you to everyone who entered!

I've been swamped with working on the memory books for my daughter's preschool class. Twenty pages each for eleven kids with only one other person helping...I am stressed! While I catch up on some things, get ready for sharing some more crafty goodness and the aforementioned book & craft project...check out the new look we've been working on at ABC & 123.

In the meantime, I'd love it if you entered to win this cool giveaway and get your car ready for road trip season!
April is both National Car Care and National Informed Women Month and a perfect opportunity to get empowered to care for your car! Did you know that in the United States the average age of cars and light trucks on the roads today has reached a record high of 9.4 years? That means it’s more important than ever to take proper care of your vehicle.

With the informative Web site http://www.motoroilmatters.org/ (created by the maker of industry-leading brands Pennzoil and Quaker State) you can easily locate key information about how quality motor oils can help prolong your engine’s life and improve overall efficiency, as well as help answer other questions you may have about motor oil. In addition, the site offers a fun, educational game for you to play called “M.O.M. Knows Best” where you can put your motor mind to the test with an interactive quiz.

Did you know?

• According to a recent survey from the Automotive Service Association, more than 54 percent of customers who take their vehicles for service and repair are women
• Using a high-quality motor oil in the right grade can help maximize fuel economy
• Low-quality oils that do not meet industry standards or the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements could cost consumers in the long run by potentially damaging the vehicle’s engine or possibly voiding the manufacturer’s warranty
• Another reason to look to a high-quality motor oil – like Pennzoil and Quaker State - is that it is designed to meet the demands of today’s engines

Giveaway!

Win $35 Jiffy Lube gift card which will cover most of the cost, if not all, of a conventional oil change at most Jiffy Lube locations!

To Enter:

Tell me what you found most interesting on the Motor Oil Matters site.

For Extra Entries: {leave an extra comment for each}

• Take the M.O.M. Knows Best Interactive Quiz on their website and tell me your score.
• Tell me which answer in the tips and advice section you found the most helpful.
• Publically follow my blog using Google Friends Connect.
• Post, link to, and/or follow me on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Leave me links to where I can verify your entry.
• Post my link button.
• Subcribe to my blog via email.
• Fan me on Facebook, post a comment or reply on there.
• Join my Blog Frog Community and reply to a forum discussion.

Open to US residents through April 30th midnight EST.

Disclosure: MotorOilMatters.org and Shell Lubricants provided me with the gift card and information through MyBlogSpark.

Project Home Improvment: Assembling a Playscape

Today I was supposed to post about a great book we've been reading, very educational and factual, plus a fun related alphabet art project. But yesterday ER threw a snit fit, with crying and yelling for almost an hour. Apparently she think's it's appropriate to throw rocks and I do not. Which resulted in having to come inside and not eating Sun Chips with milk and instead having "quiet" time, if you count all the tantruming as being "quiet", in the purple chair.

Before you give me the "World's Worst Mommy" award, don't think I made her stay in there that long. Oh no she didn't want to be with Mama; she'd prefer to sit with her back to me. Sheesh, some times she is no fun! Needless to say we did not get done what I wanted to, so instead I'll catch you all up to speed on the biggest project Brad has tackled to date. In a way, seems only fitting as it was what we spent the tax refund on.
Last Sunday, the sun came out and there was time for a wagon ride with Grammy and Grandma Norma on the path behind our house.

{Can I just interject how much I ♥♥♥ the community path? Gives everyone a safe place to be away from the cars, makes our yard look bigger, AND we don't have to mow the extra grass. Of course, as you can see, due to the slope from our house and the way the rain collects and stands around there, some patches are kinda of...oh um...dead. But I still chalk it up as: Whoohoo! Bonus!} There was also time for creating a new masterpiece, without the aforementioned throwing, and blowing bubbles but...

Most importantly, there were three extra helpers for Brad as he tackled putting up the playscape we bought for ER at Costco, for a super good price. We've been thinking about getting one and comparing prices for two years now. This is the first year I feel it's safe enough to have one in our backyard. Cause ER is fearless. She'll climb to the second level, and no joke, leap off.

Very scary for Mama and before then they all looked way to big for our itty bitty. I knew if it was in the back yard, there would be no keeping her off it, even if it was still way too big for her. Now she can do all the things independently, and she listens better to directions. Ahem...sort of, refer back to throwing incident at the top.

I didn't help very much {translation...at all} with the assembly, but I did manage to serve two meals. Which is saying a lot, as I am not handy in the kitchen. Even with my mom making the bean soup and my brother buying the cake, it still felt like a lot of work to me. Reason #1 why I don't like cooking at home. So much easier when a waiter brings you food and then the dirty dishes, poof, magically disappear.
Here's how far we got on work day number one. Brad worked Monday and Tuesday after work on more steps and will be ready to put on the roof next time. Which hopefully, will be tomorrow night. Grandma Norma and Ray are supposed to come back over. I'll keep you updated on the progress! ER can't wait to have her very own swings and slide to play on.

Wordless Wednesday: In Full Bloom

Our tree is in its most glorious, the surest sign spring has arrived. We look forward all year to the short time when its in full bloom, so beautiful!

What signals the arrival of spring to you?

And if you happen to know what kind of tree this might be, let me know pretty please? It was there when we moved in, so we don't know.



Part of Wordless Wednesday at the following places: Five Minutes for Mom, Go Graham Go, and A Lot of Loves AND Wordfull Wednesday at Seven Clown Circus.

Review & Giveaway: The Madeline Movie: Lost in Paris

This giveaway is now closed, congratulations to Benita, comment #22 who said: Email subscriber. Thank you to everyone who entered!
Today is the rerelease of The Madeline Movie: Lost In Paris!

Starring Jason Alexander, Lauren Bacall, Christopher Plummer and Andrea Libman

She's captured millions of hearts and been adored by every generation -- now Madeline stars in her first animated feature! Inspired by the beloved classic books that introduced us to a dozen delightful girls who live in an old house in Paris covered with vines, The Madeline Movie: Lost In Paris is full of spirited fun and five "fantastique" new songs.

When a long-lost uncle from Vienna pays a surprise visit, Madeline's dreams of family life seem wonderfully fulfilled -- until she finds herself in the middle of an unfortunate scheme. Madeline then must call upon all of her courage and cleverness to foil an evil plot to take her from the only family she's ever known. Join Madeline, Miss Clavel, Pepito, 11 school friends, and her ever-so-smart dog, Genevieve, in a thrilling Paris adventure you won't want to miss, where everyone learns the true meaning of family!

Screen legends Christopher Plummer (The Sound Of Music) and Lauren Bacall (The Big Sleep) costar in the animated feature the New York Daily News calls “delightful!”

SRP: $14.99

Here is a preview clip of the DVD and a coloring page for you to enjoy! Click here, to download. Do you remember reading about the adventures of Madeline, in her timeless classic storybooks? I sure do! I've even started with my own daughter, so I was eager to see the story brought to life. What a surprise to find out this DVD is actually a rerelease of a movie I'd seen previously! I enjoyed the tales of Madeline just as much the second time around.

Top notch voice actors really help make the story intriguing. Both Plummer and Bacall had a big presence at this year’s Academy Awards® – Bacall was given an honorary Oscar for her work and Plummer was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Leo Tolstoy in The Last Station. I also liked how it's a faithful representation of the book and it's illustrations.

I would recommend this title for children five years of age and up as some parts can be a bit scary for very young ones. Your child might be fine with it, but mine started hiding behind her fingers when the Uncle first takes Madeline to his basement home in "Vienna". She made it through the movie, but just barely. But I know that in a little bit she'll love it, as she already likes the books. Being able to connect with favorite characters through other mediums has always been something she likes to do.Giveaway!

Win a copy of The Madeline Movie: Lost in Paris, courtesy of Shout!Factory

To enter:

Tell me which Madeline book is your favorite or who you will give this DVD to and why.

Extra Entries:

• Publically follow my blog using Google Friends Connect.
• Subcribe to my blog via email.
• Post my link button.
• Fan my blog on Facebook.
• Post about, link to, and/or follow me on Twitter and tweet (up to once daily) this giveaway. Leave me a link where I can verify your entry.
• Join my Blog Frog Community and respond to a forum discussion.

Open to US and Canadian residents through midnight EST April 27.

Disclaimer: Thank you to Shout!Factory for the review and giveaway copies of this DVD. This review relate my own personal and unbiased opinions of this title and yours may differ.

Simple Things Frame

One of my favorite photos from Easter sparked a bit of creativity. I've spent so much time making things for others lately, that I've had little time to make progress on my own projects. I was in need of something special, just for yours truly. The best part is that I used all things from my stash.Starting with one of my favorite dollar frame bases, I decoupaged on pretty pink paper. Feminine and vibrant, I love the spring colors. It's so cheerful looking and incorporates one of my favorite color combinations. Plus, it's got lots of glittery chipboard and an epoxy word, both things that always lead to super fabulousness.

If the supplies look familiar, you might remember the projects I made for Cheryl. These are part of the same line. I liked what I made for her so much I needed to make myself a treat with them.The only draw back? ER has already tried borrowing it for her room. It's gone missing from my sitting area more than once already. Now even if it rains all week, except for Monday when ER was out in the sprinklers, I'll still have sunshine in my office.

If you were one of the readers who emailed me asking about her shoes from the Easter pictures, they are from See Kai Run. Super cute aren't they? I reviewed them for ABC & 123 last year. The pink Chloe design, by their Eleven line for bigger kids, is my current fave. If I could, their shoes are the only ones ER's cutie patootie feet would ever be in.


Shared at : Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative, DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land

Let's Party! The Ultimate Blog Party with Five Minutes for Mom

Today I am partying with Five Minutes for Mom, at their annual Ultimate Blog Party. I met the lovely Janice, on the left below, at the Social Media Mom's Conference last February and love making new friends. I anticipate finding lots of great bloggers throughout the next week, through the party blog linky. It's a lot of fun and you can win great prizes, so be sure you check out how to participate too!
To get the party started here at my own blog, here's a little introduction. I'm a craft junkie, who takes way too many pictures and then needs oodles of scrapbooks, handmade minis, and altered projects to house them in. New lines of paper and all the latest embellishments can send me into a frenzy.

I dabble in a lot of other things too. Right now, I'm trying to figure out my new Cricut. If you've got some tips, please share! I also spend a lot of time reading about European royalty and am a history buff when I'm not discovering new children's literature.
I'm also a former teacher, turned stay at home mommy to a preschooler. She's a princess in training and uber girly. We love being fancy together! I am constantly thinking of new ways to play to learn with her and rely on my bag of tricks from being a kindergarten teacher all the time. But anything artsy, that gets our fingers all messy is always our favorite thing to do.
My hubby and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in August and he's moved me around the US during that time. It's ended up being a blessing, as we've gotten to experience very different regions from the Midwest and travel places we never thought we would. We've lived in three different time zones and are happy to be settled closer to family, back in the state we both grew up in. He's super brainy - a PhD ladies, yep I married a DOCTOR, well okay so it's not an MD but it still counts. We love being out and about and I share our adventures and family day trips a lot. That's the quick version of our lives☺ Welcome to my blog!
For this year's party post, I also wanted to share some of the highlights from the parties I've thrown. Any celebration is a good excuse for me to create a lovely centerpiece. You can never go wrong with a beautiful floral arrangement. I incorporated fresh fruit in this one, to tie it in with the tropical theme at my daughter's second birthday party. I love to get my daughter involved whenever possible. She made these polka dot pots and they doubled as a gift for the Grandmas at our Mother's Day Tea. It's also fun to add a little candlelight to the table and these photo luminaries from a Fourth of July BBQ are an especially fun touch. Plus they are easy and inexpensive to make. I LOVE crafting and really enjoy making decorations. I think they add a personal touch to my parties, several are shared in this birthday party post.Another example of the handmade creative touches I like to bring to parties are these message cards and keepsake box. They were for the graduation open house of my friend's step daughter. Friends and family can write a special message or congratulations to the graduate. I also made the frame and a simple tag banner, that you can see in the post.
I am not much of a cook but it is important to provide a lovely spread of delicious food for your guests, the menu for our Mother's Day Tea was pretty to look at and simple to prepare. I am always looking for more super easy recipes to serve at parties; I'd love it if you left me yours or a link to your tried and true one. The most ambitious thing I've ever made is a beach themed birthday cake, which doesn't look as good as the original but still is pretty cute. Once upon a time I used to teach special education and kindergarten and I miss being in the classroom. Hosting themed play dates for my daughter's friends helps fill that need. These cute pearly bites are from the Ocean themed one I held last summer. A picture of my daughter from it even made the mailbag of an issue of Family Fun Magazine!

Thank you for stopping by! I really appreciate your visit it and would love for you to become a regular reader and follower, and if you are on Blog Frog please join me there too☺ Please poke around and have a look around my "nest". If you already are a follower or subscriber, thanks for coming back☺

If you've stopped by please leave me a comment, because I want to make sure I visit your blog too! I always visit the folks kind enough to leave me a comment or drop me a line at katiesnesingspot{at}live{dot}com first. Have a great time partying!



There are a ton of great prizes for participating! My top three are:

Number 1: The Grand Prize, a Toshiba Laptop!
Number 2: #8, Buds to Bloom Photo Tile Necklace from Elemental Jewelry
Number 3: #23, $50 Gift Certificate to Monogramed Gifts

and if those are already awarded, I'd also love to win: #56, #71, #67, #22, #50, #6, #76, #34