A Break

Hi there!  How have you been?  Hope you've been out enjoying the summer especially if you live in a extremely cold winter weather climate state like I do. 

I decided to take a break from blogging...

I haven't been visiting blogs as much, mainly because I found myself comparing myself to other bloggers/ladies out there.  I wasn't liking the way it was making me feel.  That inadequate icky feeling.  I felt I wasn't doing and being enough.  I also felt I wasn't giving my kids and my husband the time I wanted to give them or the time they deserved.

Source

Source

I decided I wanted to make changes in my life spiritually, emotionally and physically to be that person I wanted to be.  I decided to water my own grass.  I began eating healthy, exercising everyday and I lost 10 pounds.  My husband has also been doing the same and he has lost over 20 (Not fair!).

I've been spending quality time with my kids.  I will be going back to work in the Fall once my son starts Kindergarten and my daughter goes into pre-k and I am enjoying what time I have left at home with them.

Source

We moved to this city a year ago and we've been out discovering the area.  Enjoying the beaches of Lake Michigan that are only 5 minutes from my house.  Visiting different parks, riding the bike trails, and making new friends while visiting old ones.

We are enjoying this summer like never before!  I hope you are doing the same.  Our family has grown stronger, closer and happier in the last several months.  We are healthy and life is good.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope to be back soon. 

House Beautiful June Cover Surprise

Hey there!

When I received my House Beautiful issue for June, I looked at the cover and was shocked to see....

the exact same lamp that I bought at a thrift store sitting on the table with a black shade!!! (See the lamp on the table.) 

I bought mine for $6.00!!  I was hoping I could find out where to get another but the homeowner/designer found hers at an Estate Sale....DARN! 

My husband really liked the lamp with a black shade as in the magazine so now I am on the lookout for a black rectangular shade.  It's a never ending hunt for just the right decor items for our home.  I LOVE IT!

Ssssh...my little shopping secret

Hi!  Today I decided to share one of my most favorite stalking shopping  places I like to visit EVERY DAY!!

Yes...I may have a shopping addiction....well more like a perusing thrift items addiction.

One of the best things about this place is that even you can visit EVERY DAY too!!  Plus we don't even have to get out of our pj's or yoga pants to go.

I found this place 6 years ago.   I can't even remember how I found it but when I did I became addicted!

This place is the Shop Goodwill online auction website....have you been there?  Or heard of it?

I haven't heard anyone in blog land mention it so I thought I'd share. 

Here are some of the goodies I've bid on....

 She is GORGEOUS!

And I accidentally lost her because I was serving dinner at the time this auction came to a close.  I logged on 30 seconds too late and lost her!!!  She sold for $23 (not including shipping) but I would of paid so much more.

I have regretted losing her tremendously but learned a good lesson.  I'll tell you the lesson I learned after I show you more goodies.

I also bid on this cutie Spanish lady planter....

She sold for $31 (not including shipping).

I wanted the below mirror to hang on a display wall with my father-in-law's WWII and husband's Marine pictures and medals

 It sold for $84.03 (not including shipping).

I am going to tell you how to better your odds of winning your find.  So you don't regret losing a must have find.

Now here is what I learned from losing that first GORGEOUS Bust.

 

My tips to shopping this site:

 1. Search your local Goodwill seller. - You can pick-up at certain stores!  This allows you to save money or put more money towards winning your bid.  (Skip step #2 if you are doing a local Pick-Up.)

2.  Calculate Shipping. - Shipping can be ridiculously pricey.  Before placing your bid calculate your shipping costs in order to determine tip #3. Take your shipping costs into consideration when you are determining what you are willing to pay for your item.

3.  Enter the absolute max amount you are willing to pay for your item (not including shipping). - Why?

    Because it will bid for you by placing bids on your behalf at the lowest possible increments.  Allowing you to win the auction at the lowest possible price.  Your highest bid is only placed when another bidder also bids up to that amount.  Make sense?

Those 3 tips there are the most important.

 Additional Helpful Hints:

 1.  Check on your auction.  I set a reminder or alarm on my phone to log on to the site 15 minutes before my auction is scheduled to end.  (This isn't such a big deal if you've entered the absolute highest bid you are willing to pay.)

2.  Take notice of the time difference from where you live and the Goodwill city where your item is being sold from. Set your alarm accordingly.  
  
3.  If you're looking for something in particular, set up an email notification.  They call it the Personal Shopper and they only send you one email per day for each item you set it up for.  

4.  If you have any questions on an item, send them an email before you bid!  They will always respond.

I hope you take a gander over there and check out what they have up for bidding in your area.  Hope my tips help and send me an email if you find something!   

I hope you have a marvelous weekend!! 

Linking to:

 

Oh Where Has The Time Gone

Hi, how are you?  We have been relaxing.  Mr. OMC needed a break from work and he decided to take a couple of days off to spend at home.

We had been hoping for nicer weather to finally spray paint our wicker furniture and clean out the garage but it was just too cold and rainy.  Can't say my hubby wasn't a little happy about that.

My nice sister-in-law took my lil clan to spend the weekend with her by the lake.  They fished and roasted marshmallows by the campfire.

My husband and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary

by having dinner at a cute little bistro downtown.

 

The below picture is off the internet, they had a packed house when we were there and I thought it'd be hard (and a little weird) to secretly take a picture in a small restaurant.

Trip Advisor

It was nice to get some alone time together.

I seriously had no idea what to do with myself when my husband had to go to work and I had time alone at home.  I was going crazy.  I felt so awkward and out of sorts.  Just not used to it being so quiet around the house.

We later drove out to my sis-in-laws house for dinner and to pick up our lil ones.

The rest of the time we spent relaxing at home, watching movies and running errands together.  It was great!

Hope you've been able to reconnect with your love and get a little alone time.  It does so much good for your relationship. 

Even if that reconnect time is sitting outside on the patio enjoying a glass of your favorite beverage while the kids are running around in the yard.

Chicken Broccoli Stuffed Crescent Rolls

Hi there!  How are you?  I'm feeling a tad better but hoping I feel great by tomorrow morning.  My sister-in-law is taking my little clan for the weekend.  Woohoo for nice sister-in-laws!

I hadn't made this recipe in a really long time.  I don't know why since everyone loves it in our home plus it's quick and easy.  Takes about 30-35 minutes from start to finish. 

Funny how we sometimes forget about certain recipes because we tend to gravitate to the usual staples. 

This recipe evolved from one I learned to make when I was 19 called the Chicken Crescent Wreath, here is the original recipe from Taste of Home.

Their recipe has bell peppers, onions and water chestnuts, I'm not crazy about them so I took them out.  Instead of a wreath I like to make individual servings, it makes it easier to serve.

Here is my version.  Take the following ingredients:

3 - Chicken Breasts
1 - 10oz can of Cream of Chicken (1 cup)
1 - cup of shredded Cheese
2 - rolls of Crescent Rolls
1 - bag of frozen Broccoli or fresh broccoli

Cut your chicken breast into cubes and cook thoroughly.  Heat your frozen broccoli in the microwave or stove top (Note: If using fresh broccoli, cut up the small florets but do not cook).

Drain any oil or water from cooked chicken.

 Add can of Cream of Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese to your chicken.

Stir ingredients together.

Pop the seal on your Crescent roll package...does any body get antsy when opening these?  I am terrified of opening these dang things!

 

Roll out your crescent rolls on a cookie sheet and spoon in your mixture.  Fold crescent corners over and make a small pocket.

I had to hurry at this point and I didn't have time to make them look pretty because my little ones were getting hungry.


Kid Portions:

I did the second batch a little different because I wanted them to be larger portions for the adults.  I kept 2 crescent rolls together and stuffed those to make like a square or pocket.

Adult portions:

Place them in the oven and cook at 375 degrees for 13 minutes or until golden brown.

Pull them out of the oven and enjoy this yummy goodness. 

Sharing with:
                 Six Sister's Stuff - Strut Your Stuff Saturday

Belated Easter Post

I apologize for the tardiness but I caught a nasty bug and it put me out for a couple of days.  Better late than never, right?

As I mentioned last week, my Minnie Me and I made this Easter Egg garland that Honey & Fitz  posted and it was so much fun to make.

 
I went to the Dollar Store and picked up 5 Easter egg packs of 18.

 I picked up this jute twine but it didn't work out so well....

I then tried the following...

Attempts 1 & 2 - Were too thick for the hole in the Easter egg.
Attempt 3 - Was so long that it kept getting tangled.
Attempt 4 - Worked amazingly well and it held up in the wind.

At first I was just folding the ribbon in half and threading it through the eggs....

but this was taking longer then I wanted so I pulled out my monster needle and the process went SO much faster.  (I sometime have very little patience...this was one of those times.)

My Minnie Me would hand me the Easter egg color that followed and she would pull the egg down the long ribbon.  We had so much fun.

At the end of the ribbon I tied a knot to keep the eggs from slipping out.

I then tied colored ribbon to the end. I forgot to take a picture of this step (see...impatient).

This is what it looked like after making 2 strings, 1 string with 3 bags of Easter Eggs and the smaller one string with just 2 bags.  Here is Minnie Me admiring her work.

It was windy and I couldn't get a good picture of my bow and ribbons hanging down. 

Since I can't put holes in the siding, I hung them up by using unfolded paperclips hooked into the siding molding around the door. 

This week my kids are on Spring break and I'm trying to kick this icky body aching sickness to the curb.  Hope you had a wonderful Easter and are having an amazing week.  Thanks for stopping by. 

My Electronics Are Not Getting Along

Hi!!  How are you? 

I'm on the verge of throwing this computer out the window.  My computer and camera are not getting along!  I hope I can resolve their issues and post pictures tomorrow of what we've been up to.

I had a great Birthday last week!  Couldn't of asked for a better birthday, although warm weather would of been nice.

My 3yr old daughter and I made this Easter Egg Garland that I came across on Honey & Fitz.

Honey & Fitz

Made from Easter Eggs from the Dollar Store!  Can you believe that?!  It was inexpensive and my kids loved it!  My kind of project.

We had so much fun making it!  Although I had to improvise since I didn't have the right kind of thread and used thin gift ribbon instead to string the eggs together.  You can't tell and it's held up great in the wind.  I hope I can share our version with you tomorrow.   

I'm off to argue with my electronics!  Hope you are having a marvelous week!

And The Award Goes To....

Our Marvelous Clan!!!  (Insert thunderous applause here.)

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you for your applause, you are too kind.  Please take your seats.

First of all, I am truly honored of this prestigious award being bestowed upon me.  I cannot thank you enough Thrifty Crafty Girl , you are a very special person. You were the first to make my day, that very memorable day when you became the very first to follow my little blog.  You took the time and helped me out with my inadequate blogger skills and took the time to walk me through the steps.  For that I am forever thankful.

Secondly, I'd like to thank my hard working husband for allowing me to be a stay at home mom and enjoy this time with our kids before our little ones start their school years.  This year has been the best ever.

I would also like to thank....**Insert speech cutoff music and handsome looking model escorting me off the stage.**  

Here are the RULES for the Versatile Blogger Award-
1. Add the award to your blog.
2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you.  (Done above)
3. Mention seven random things about yourself.  (See below)
4. List the rules. (Done here)
5. Award to 15 bloggers.
6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are my awesome seven random facts about myself.

1) I am a shopaholic.  If I could, I'd be out there shopping EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  No joke.  I think I may have a problem...total joke.  I have learned to control myself....somewhat. 

2) I don't like paying full price for anything, unless its groceries and necessities...I suck at using coupons.  (Doesn't make sense, I know.)  I shop thrift stores, clearance racks, yard sales and Craigslist for everything else.  

3)  I LOVE SHOES!!  I currently have approximately 63 pairs (see, total shopaholic...but I never paid full price.  ha-ha!).  I am down from 88 pairs, I had to purge when we moved last year.  I will share that with you some day.

Momo, 65 pairs of shoe

 4)  I am bilingual.  Sí, hablo español!  I speak Spanish fluently.  My husband speaks three languages...that smarty pants. 

5)  I love chocolate.  We always have chocolate in our home.  If I crave it and don't have a candy bar handy, I will melt milk chocolate morsels and drizzle it on almonds or any fruit we have in the kitchen just to get my fix.  We often make chocolate covered strawberries in our home.  I can whip those babies up in less than 10 minutes.

6)  I used to not like football, my husband loved it, so I learned about it so we could have something else in common and now I LOVE it!  I even have my own Fantasy Football Team now.  I've come a looong way.  

7)  I am a HUGE Green Bay Packers fan (don't judge me).  I am that crazy fan decked out in team gear with green extensions in her hair, face painted and yelling at the top of her lungs.  We watch EVERY game and go to as many games as we can.  (This is not me but I'm not guaranteeing that I will not evolve into that.)

  

8)  I am not blogging as often as I'd like.  My two little ones start school in the fall and I want to enjoy as much time with them as I can.  It's a privilege to be able to stay at home with them.  One is going into Pre-K and the other is going into Kindergarten.  I will be having a breakdown when that time comes. 

Yes, I know I was only supposed to have 7 but I couldn't resist sharing my awesome self with you.  ha ha!

Now the hard part.....and The Winners of the Versatile Blogger Award are:

1)  Sherry at Pondered Primed Perfected {P3}  Sherry and her husband Scott make a great DIY team!  

2) Tricia at Making It Feel Like Home  Tricia has been working on making her house a home while raising her 3 cute little ones.

3)  Claire at Bless My Nest You have got to check out the Spring wreath that she made.  I love it!

4)  Shirley at Housepitality Designs  Shirley was also one of those extremely nice bloggers who took the time to walk this newbie through essential blogger steps.  I told my husband that I hope to one day have a home like hers.

5) Cindy at Beaux R'eves She is so talented!  I have so much to learn from her.

I know it said to 15 blogs (I apologize to you other 10 bloggers) but it's the day before my birthday and I have to clean my house before any unexpected guests drop by.  

I've got clean laundry on my kitchen table to fold, floors to clean and I need to make our house guest-worthy.  Although, I'm really craving a nap right now.         

Enjoying Spring

How did you enjoy your first week of Spring?  My husband and I took our marvelous clan to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to enjoy the warm Spring weather.   

Lake Geneva is located in Southeastern Wisconsin, approximately ten miles north of the Illinois state line.

We had a gorgeous few days...

 

 
We enjoyed a walk on Main Street, a coffee break...

  

A walk along the water...

  

and a walk in the Park.

We had a great time!  Hope you we able to enjoy this first week of Spring!

Our Living Room

Hi there!  How ya doin?  Thought I'd share some pics of our living room before I start changing stuff around.  I am itching for some change.

So Welcome to my living room!

I apologize for the lighting, as I mentioned here, this room is really dark.  As I was taking pictures the rain clouds rolled in and ruined this little photo shoot.

 

No your eyes are not playing tricks on you, the blue-green wall is slanted down towards the window.  

I'm going to change up the mantle soon.

These horses were bought at Home Goods back when my husband and I got our first apartment many years ago.  I had to have them....and they're still my favs!

This chair was a left over from when my sister moved back home to Phoenix.  I didn't like the crazy fabric so I covered it with some fabric.  (Recovering this chair is on my to do list, I've been too scared to tackle it.  Hope to do it this summer.)

I found this little bird on clearance for $2.50 at the end of the Spring season last year.  I regret not picking up two of them.  

Hope you enjoyed your visit!  I certainly enjoyed you coming by!  Come again soon!