good read [how about orange]

Most of you, I'm sure, already have this blog on your reader.  But for those of you who don't, subscribe now!  How About Orange, was the very first blog I found.  Can you believe it?  I now follow over 300, but at one time, this was the only one I would check.

Remember this little project?  Well at the time, I was searching the web for a tutorial on how to do a fabric spread piece for our mantle about 3 years ago, and found this.  After that, I became obsessed with blogs and DIY projects.

Since 2007, the blog has morphed into an even bigger source of DIY projects, time-wasters, and tutorials; she seriously has it all.  If you're looking for a blog that has tons of things to make or discover the latest freebies from other blogs and websites, then this is your blog. Happy reading!

ice day, fun day

One of the great perks of both having jobs in the state system is that we get holidays off together and random snow, or in this case, ice days.  :)  We got two days off in a row (and instead of going to the grocery store--much too cold for that), we raided our pantry trying to find meals.  In this case, we decided to make blueberry muffins for dinner one night.

They are Joel's favorite snack, so I thought it'd be fun for him to do the baking--he was more than willing, so I just sat back, watched, and didn't say a word.  (Well, almost)

And they were quite delicious! (Even with the added chocolate chips.)

you are loved

Even though Valentine's Day is the holiday that would get picked last for dodge ball or the token "made up holiday,"  I still like to celebrate it.  Call me sappy, but there is just something about people recognizing those special people in their life--and not just your significant other.  And yes, while we should show love to others every day, I think today just gives us another reason to go out of our way or get out of our comfort zones by expressing those emotions.

Now, go tell someone you love them!  Or leave a box of chocolates for your neighbors or mailman.  You'll never regret giving something unexpected.  :)  I love you all!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

odelma guest post

Happy Saturday!

Check out how you can download my first ever freebie by visiting my guest post today on my sweet friend Mattie's blog, Odelma (or by looking below).  Enjoy! 

Also, be sure to browse her site and her etsy shop for some of the cutest vintage items around.

Thanks again Mattie!

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[Click here to download!]

This freebie stemmed from me and my husband's grocery shopping habits.  We both can't stand the grocery store and try to spend the smallest amount of time there possible. Before we shop, I create my list (which is usually the things needed for cooking and meals) and Joel creates his list (which usually consists of a large stash of mountain dew, chips, an the occasional honey bun).

Before we start, we make sure our lists are balanced, tear the sheet in half, and then race to see who finishes first.  Sometimes we make it interesting with a foot rub for the winner--but to us, just getting in and out of the store quickly is plenty of a reward!

To model this new freebie, we used it in our last shipping trip (turns out it's much better than a ripped piece of loose leaf we normally use):

Sometimes I see him wandering around lost trying to find something--but in this case, he was wandering around and dancing as he found what he was looking for.

 I can never pass this fridge where the side dips in without making faces--it never gets old.

After I finished my list, I found him still shopping, which meant...

Winner!!

Loser.  :( whomp. whomp. 

Time spent in grocery store: 20 minutes!

And no list is complete without returning your grocery cart to make the workers' jobs a little easier.

 So if you are anything like us, then I hope you'll enjoy this download!  I also included a generic one too if you prefer shopping alone--which is cool too. :)  Just open the link, go to "file" and download the pdf, print out the page you want, and follow the crop marks to cut.  You can even go one step further and make it into a pad if you get the urge.  Enjoy!

[Click here to download!]

IKEA bound

 A couple weeks ago, I finally cashed in my Christmas present--a trip to IKEA with a somewhat limited budget.  It's a well known fact that I've been dying to go to finish buying the things for our room (the most neglected room in the house), and Joel thought it would make a great surprise.  He was right.  Not only did the present include a trip to IKEA, but he had already taken care of getting us a room to stay the night, so it wouldn't be a rushed experience.  :)

I was so excited that I had my list ready for weeks.

We stopped for lunch/dinner at a road trip must! We were both craving it, but couldn't see any signs.  I typed in the name of the restaurant and city and sent it as a text to Google.  Within seconds, we found one coming up off the next exit.  iPhone-Smi-Phone.  :)

i is dumb...

Once we finally made it to the hotel, checked in, and put our bags down, we did what any

couple of typical twenty somethings would do in a big city on a Saturday night: 

watched a marathon of Hoarders and played Banagrams.  

I was winning the entire game, peel after peel, until Joel came back in the
end with his board nearly falling off the bed.

I'm just realizing that I never did check to see if "warf" was a word...

After the exciting game of word play and just before the lady that hoarded cats could explain why she's not "crazy" for wanting to house hundreds of cats, it was time for the milk and cookie buffet.

After that, we may have watched one more episode of Hoarders (don't judge us!), and then Joel decided that outside was "hoppin,'" so we should walk around for a bit.  We spotted a coffee shop and had to check it out.  We love coffee almost as much as we love each other.

This was right before we chatted with a homeless man and then fist-bumped him good bye.  On our way back to the room, I scratched under my eye to which Joel kindly added, "Ya know, 8 outta 10 homeless people have Hepatitis C."  

For the next 20 minutes, Joel tried to convince me that I didn't contract Hepatitis C and that it wasn't now in my eye socket.

The next day, we lounged around, ate the best continental breakfast, and finally headed to IKEA.  I thought I was giving two very sturdy "thumbs up"  in this pic, but clearly I was not.

We didn't take any more pics, but spent an entire day browsing and purchasing some things I've had my eye on for a while.  I was able to get everything on my list, so that was good enough for me!

It was such a great time, and I have a feeling we'll be going back now that baseball season is coming up in a couple months.  :)

love notes

I honor of the upcoming "Hallmark Holiday,"  I thought it would be fun to share some notes I found from Joel when cleaning out a few things.  He worked at a local day camp for many, many years and would bring home the cutest and funniest things he did during "craft time."

Excuse the mushy post, but one of the reasons I have this blog to to be able to look back on it as the years go by and our family grows--it's my own virtual scrapbook--that I also share with anyone whose interested, and sometimes that means having to endure posts like these.  :)

The first one is by far my favorite.  Sometimes I forget about all the different qualities of the man I married, and then I find things like this that remind me why I couldn't have done any better.

(Also, this post was approved by said note maker and marker drawer before posting.)