The Tender Mercies Project

Yes this is a shameless plug...for another site I just started...It may seem out of control, to have yet another site. But I just couldn't help myself! Do you ever just watch the news and feel super discouraged? So many horrible things going on in the world. Well, I thought it was high time we recognize the good! So please check out my new site and participate!

The Tender Mercies Project - daily proof of the Lord's hand in our lives. It will only survive with help from readers! Read how to participate here.

Okay, that's all I will say about it. =) Thank you!

Why I'm a Mom: Wordless Wednesday

Carrot Birthday Party

This was the first party Little Miss had - her second is in a few days. Yes, she gets two this year...spoiled! We're moving soon, rather far away, and wanted to celebrate with my family and my husbands. So...two parties. She chose the themes. Her first party - a carrot party.

She saw a carrot cake at the store a year ago, right after her 2nd birthday party and announced that she wanted a carrot party for her next birthday - then she talked about it straight for 9 months...she doesn't forget anything! So...a carrot party it is! All based off of this cake...

I found a book to go with the theme. Carrot Soup by John Segal. Super cute.

It's all about this rabbit who can't find his carrots and he goes all over trying to find them. In the end he has carrot soup (his favorite) with his friends. There's even a recipe at the back of the book - which I didn't make, but that's okay.

So to begin the party I read Carrot Soup to the children (+ adults) - then we searched for the hidden carrots (+ chocolate) around the room. Which they loved!

After we found the carrots we tied them to string and tried to bite them with our hands behind our backs. This game didn't serve a purpose except for hilarity for those watching. It was super entertaining!

Next we ate soup (+ rolls) that had carrots in it. Yum! After dinner we opened presents. The end.

Themed. Fun. Simple. Low key. Easy clean up. Love my little girl! Can't believe she'll be 3 in a few days!!

I'll post pics of the next party too, which is also a food theme. Little Miss loves her food!

Did I mention the adults tried biting the carrots too? That made it way more fun! 

Check out last years birthday bash... A Ladybug Birthday Party

Pennies & Rice

One of my old high school chums started this new food blog - Pennies and Rice. I love it! Simple, cheap dinner ideas for your family. I am all about saving money! And, like most of you, I get stuck in a recipe rut sometimes. So this site is a lifesaver! You can also submit your own recipes to be featured - but remember, they have to be cheap! Go check it out!

Why I'm a Mom: Wordless Wednesday

DIY: Silk Tie Easter Eggs {archives}

I love these Easter Eggs...beautiful. And different. This isn't exactly a kid friendly project - at least not for my toddler - but it would be fun for slightly older kids to help.

You'll need 100% silk ties from the thrift store, an old pillowcase or lightweight light colored material (got mine at the thrift store too), some string or twist ties, and scissors.

These two were my favorite ties. Love the elephants.

First deconstruct the ties carefully, salvage just the silk material.

Then wrap your eggs as tight as possible without breaking the egg (right side of the material touching the surface of the eggs). Then wrap again with the pillowcase material.

Place gently in a pot, cover eggs with water and add 1/4 cup vinegar. Then turn the heat on. Once the water starts boiling, time them for 20 min. Check periodically for floaters - and push them back down again. Remove from water and let cool and dry till damp.

I was impatient so I gave my eggs more airflow so they'd cool faster by placing my cooling rack over my sink and a paper towel underneath to catch drips.

Some of my favorites...

I love how the paisley ties turned out!



I got this idea from Our Best Bites. A few silk ties from the thrift store and voila!

Click here for full instructions and more pictures from Our Best Bites. Oh, and they're not edible! The dye on silk ties is not FDA approved, who knows where it's from - so don't try it! I'm going to find some cute white ceramic egg cups and display mine.

137...I Think, and Other Random Thoughts

We're in limbo at my in-laws right now, so our scale is packed. But last I checked I was at 137 - 7 lbs to go until I reach pre-baby weight! Sweet. And this picture is proof that my fat face is gone, and that Mr Man's fat face is getting bigger, haha - hooray!

I've been trying to eat healthy. On moving day we had to eat out - I chose the new Teriyaki Turkey Burger at Carl's Jr instead of a regular burger - under 500 calories and super tasty! (no, they didn't pay me to say that...)

And more randomness - remember my post about Maylee's Boutique? They're generously offering my readers a 10% discount when you use this coupon code at checkout...

the-mom-blog

Enjoy!

Hope ya'll have a great weekend! Even if you woke up to this this morning like I did...

Where is Spring? This ought to cheer you up - I know it helped make me happy at 4 this morning...