Sunday, August 14, 2011

July Travels and Tie Dye

My summer has been busy! Since I am a teacher, I have been a stay-at-home mom this summer.  That said, since I am a teacher, I cannot handle chaos or hours on end without something to do.  My kids seem to be the same way and cannot handle idle time.  So, our July was full of many trips....

We went to Rehoboth Beach over the 4th of July, we also went to Lake Tobias, Mt. Gretna and the North Museum.  I highly recommend any of these places. More photos of our August travels coming soon!

In July, we also celebrated my daughter's 7th birthday.  Not sure where the 7 years have gone, nor where my baby has gone, but time marches on as they say!
Emily wanted a tie dye birthday party, so we had one.  Unfortunately, I was involved in the activities, so I do not have many photos :(

These were my supplies for my first attempt to make chocolate covered strawberries. 





These were the finished product....tie dyed chocolate covered strawberries! 
Delicious! 

Sidenote.... do NOT make ahead of time.  I made this mistake and they turned to mush. You need to make them and eat them on the same day or the next day at the latest.  I used white candy wafers from Wilton (bought at Michael's), melted the chocolate in the microwave and rolled them in colored sugar. So easy and so pretty in the end!



We also made tie dye cookies. Ironically I do not have a picture of the finished product.  I am trying to get better at this!
I enlisted the help of my mom to make these delicious vanilla cookies. I found the recipe in the July edition of Martha Stewart's magazine.  I actually bought the magazine for the sole purpose of these cookies that were on the cover!

Martha Stewart LIVING Magazine July 2011 Best of Summer

FYI.....my cookies did NOT turn out like these. I am determined to figure out why!  I may be making spider web cookies for Halloween to figure it out! But, aren't they pretty?!


These are the vanilla cookies.  Can't you smell them?! They were delicious and so easy to work with!




I also made cupcakes (from scratch, I might add) from my mom's Betty Crocker cookbook that she got as a wedding gift.  They were really good, also.  I can say, I will not buy a pre-packaged mix anymore.  They were so easy to make and tasted really good!



And here is the birthday girl helping out...with her, oh so helpful brother!


Finally, I made a Happy Birthday banner from a tutorial that I found on Moda Bake Shop (access tutorial here). Of course, I had to modify it and continuously play with it as it was made, but my daughter chose the fabrics.



I hand stitched the letters onto each pennant using DMC floss and a simple backstitch. 

 Once again, I did not take a picture of the finished project. I admit, it is a major downfall of mine!

But, here is the finished party!



Tie Dye Bliss!


Until next time, take time for you!
Colleen

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Flicker...now what?!

Well, after a year, I finally joined Flicker.  I made a name for myself and uploaded a few photos......now what?!

Any suggestions about how to use Flicker and what is it for?!  I just know that everyone is on it! 

I admit that I am just beginning to get technologically savvy for Blogging.  I am always truly impressed by other people blogs, and photos on their blogs, and how they make photo mosaics, and how creative everyone is, my list can go on and on!  Anyone know where I can get more information or a tutorial on how to be so creative with photos and blogs?! 

My creativity at this point involves using Google images!



Until next time, take time for you!

Colleen

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Where have I been?!

Well, hello everyone!  You may (I only have a few followers, so probably not) been wondering where I have been!  In interest of time and confidentiality, I let work get in the way of life for the past few months.

I have made a decision today to think more about myself and to say "no!" to others. Many of you may be thinking that I am the meanest person on Earth for even thinking this, but I am so stretched to the max that I am unhappy....all the time. I am determined to enjpy myself and my family and to be happymost of the time!  All of the time would be a ridiculous concept to even entertain!

So....below are a few things that make me happy....enjoy!


Sunflowers!  Aren't they just the happiest flower ever?!  I have some mini ones growing next to my patio.


Sitting outside on the patio relaxing and....



drinking a cup of tea or.....


having an ice cold beer (especially Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat...yummy!)


while reading a book. 

All of these things I prefer to do alone and try to do first thing in the morning (well, NOT drink the beer) before my kids get up.


Above all, my favorite things is.....

my kids.  Look how big they are both getting! This photo was taken a few weeks ago at my cousin's rehearsal dinner. Both of them were in the wedding....

and, of course, my husband!


Until next time, take time for yourself!

Colleen