{button} thumbtacks

I am always looking for a new crafty project and love to repurpose things around the house.  And it makes me more excited to find a purpose for something when there is an owl involved! 

I picked up this owl corkboard in the Target One Spot section a year or so ago.  It was hanging in Little Bit's room with all her Disney pins on it until she got so many pins we had to get a new board!  So I was left with this cute little guy that was begging for a new home!  ;)  I had the perfect wall in my laundry room that needed some embellishing. 

I wanted to dress him up with some cute thumbtacks.  So I gathered my supplies...buttons, flat head thumbtacks, and glue dots.

I picked out a few buttons that matched the laundry room color scheme, placed a glue dot on the flat head thumbtack and attached the button.  It was really that simple!

 Here he is adding that perfect touch of cuteness to my laundry room!

Menu Plan Monday

Well after a week of leftovers and pizza we are back to a normal week....sort of.  No school today cause of the cold.  At the rate we are going we won't have a full week of school this year?!  LOL.

Monday ~ scrambled eggs, toast, sausage

Tuesday ~ zucchini pasta, salad, bread

Wednesday ~ almond coconut tilapia, rice, green beans

Thursday ~ honey chicken, skillet fried potatoes, salad

Friday ~ taco soup, tortilla chips

Linking up with Org Junkie...check them out for more recipes.

Magicstick review...

Before Christmas I was asked if I would feature the Magicstick by Powerocks on my blog.  I was super excited to try it and out and knew it would be perfect for my hubby.  He uses his smart phone for everything and is needing to charge several times in a day.  I received it right before Christmas so I wrapped it up and let the hubs open it on Christmas morning. ;)  He had been wanting to try one and now had the chance! 

It is super light weight and fits in the palm of your hand.  It is very easy to travel with and super easy to use!  It comes with the cord you need to connect to your computer for charging the Magicstick and for charging your electronic devices. 

My husband loves that he can easily have it plugged into his phone and still use the phone.  You don't have to worry about being close to an outlet or stretching a cord across the room!  He takes it to work with him, uses it on the go and around the house. 

I think this will come in extra handy when we are on vacation....especially out all day in Disneyland {which is where we are going on our next adventure!}  We use our phones alot when at Disney...to see wait times for rides, character meet and greet schedules, park maps and of course taking pictures!  With the Magicstick we won't have to worry about our phones dying before we get back to the hotel to charge them! 

I highly recommend the Magicstick if you are an on the go person and constantly using your electronic devices.  We have definitely found it to be quite useful!

Thanks so much to Powerocks for supplying me with a Magicstick to try.  All opinions are my husbands and mine.  

For more info, check out powerocksmedia.com

Taco soup

This past weekend we had a family get together at our house.  I was trying to find easy prep meals so I wasn't constantly in the kitchen!   Taco soup to the rescue!  ;)  Not only was this super easy but it got rave reviews from the family!  This is no new recipe but it was new to me.  I have had it before but never made it.  Now it has been added to my list of go tos!

Ingredients:
1 can corn
1 can can rotel
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
2 cups beef broth
1 package taco seasoning
1 package ranch seasoning
1 pound ground beef, cooked and crumbled


optional toppings:  shredded cheese, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips

Directions:
Brown the ground beef and drain.  I did this the night before so in the morning I could just dump all the ingredients in the crockpot. 

Drain both cans of beans and rinse.  Dump into crock pot along with all other ingredients.  Stir to combine.  Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6.

Enjoy just as it is or with your favorite toppings!

one little word....{CREATE}

Do you have a "one little word" for 2014?  Have you even heard of the "one little word" concept?  It was started by Ali Edwards several years back.  The idea is that you pick a word for the year to focus on.  Almost like a goal or something to strive for throughout the year.  There is no wrong or right word, just something that goes along with where you are in your life and maybe even where you want to be.  

This is the first year I am choosing a word and my word is CREATE! 

I have this word displayed in my craft space and I'm hoping it will keep me motivated to put that word into play in my daily life.  Here are some ways I plan to incorporate CREATE into my daily life this year:

...do something personally creative at least once a week.  This can be anything from home decor, crafting with my daughter, crocheting, doodling, scrapbooking....just something that makes me smile!  I really want to stay on top of my project life album.
...create time each day to deepen my relationship with God.  I am doing Beth Moores' Jesus The One and Only study right now with ladies at church.  I also get daily emails from She Reads Truth and love those short devotionals and words of encouragement.  I have gotten these emails for some time but I don't always make time each day to read them.
...not worry about having the house always picked up and create time to play with my daughter.   I want to be able to snuggle with her and watch a movie, color in her coloring books, play with lalaloopsy's or have a dance party in the living room and not feel like there is something else I should be doing! We love laughing together and I want to create more opportunities for that! 
...create more date opportunities with the hubs.  Whether it be coffee and a movie in the living room, walks around the neighborhood, or board games at the dining room table, I just like spending time with him and want to be more intentional about it....and creative too! 
...I love books and have a stack of them I would love to get through.  I am hoping to create more time for getting lost in a good book this year!  Currently I'm reading A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman. 

Sometimes I feel like the time is just wasting away and I want to be more intentional about how I am spending it.  My hope for 2014 is to have a year full of creating wonderful memories with my family and friends! 

If you have a word for the year I would love to hear it!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ fish sticks, mac & cheese, apple slices

Tuesday ~ chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, berries

Wednesday ~ almond coconut tilapia, rice, green beans

Thursday ~ honey chicken, skillet fried potatoes, salad

Friday ~ BBQ, mashed potatoes, pasta salad, bread

Linking up with Org Junkie...check them out for more recipes.

Sloppy joes

These are always a hit when I make them!  I just realized that I have never posted the recipe.  So here you go...

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp yellow mustard
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
Season ground beef with salt & pepper.  In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, onion and green pepper. 

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine the rest of the ingredients, stirring until blended together.

Once the meat is cooked and drained, pour sauce over meat and mix thoroughly.  Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Enjoy on your favorite bun!  ;)

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ crock pot chicken tacos, refried beans, guacamole

Tuesday ~ sloppy joes, tater tots, salad

Wednesday ~ alfredo pasta, salad, bread

Thursday ~ almond coconut tilapia, mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday ~ crock pot cheesy potato soup, bread

Linking up with Org Junkie...check them out for more recipes.

{It's my birthday} and I'll shop if I want to....

Today I celebrated the big 35.  Yep, that's right it's my birthday!  I have had a pretty fun and laid back birthday so far doing things that I love.  First off spending time with my family!  Little Bit told me that I could do whatever I wanted today and she would even shop with me if she had to...lol!  I did take time out to enjoy an arty party with her and some of her friends.  {Happy Birthday Annie!}

I also enjoyed some Starbucks with a good friend, scrapbooked with other friends, chatted with family and got in some shopping time!  Here are a few of my birthday shopping treats thanks to gift cards I received for my birthday and Christmas...

 

First stop....Old Navy.  The women's clearance was an extra 20% off yesterday and today.  I was lucky enough to snag this cute jeweled sweatshirt in cream for under $8!  I couldn't find it online but this grey one is still $30 online!  I think I got an amazing deal! 

Next up....Target!  My home away from home...lol!  I wasn't even really looking for anything but I walked by these long sleeved raglan tees and this green one just jumped out at me.  So I brought it home.  ;)

In Hobby Lobby I really wasn't looking for anything for me but you know how that goes!  ;)  {We were shopping for blank canvas so Little Bit and I could continue the arty party at home.  I will post a pic soon!}  I happened to see those black metal owls on clearance and knew I had the perfect spot for it in my craft space. 

Such a wonderful start to the new year!!!

Happy New Year!

A new year started today!  I hope you enjoyed spending time with the ones you love! 

2014 here we come...