Hello Halloween.

Hello pumpkin patch.

Hello pumpkin dresses.

Hello baby brother.

Hello janky rides.

Hello $12.

 Hello candy getting footwear.

Hello tricks.

Hello treats.

Hello Neverland.

Hello jack o'lanterns.

Hello raiding their candy bags.

Goodbye Halloween.

(Saying Hello Monday with Lisa Leonard.)

Happy Sunday. (With a printable.)

Hope you are having a lovely Sunday.
Here is a preview of what is in store for The Happy Day Project next week.
Yay!
It is formatted as a 8x10 for your printing pleasure.

Things that are rad.

Happy Saturday.
My favorite day of the week, perfect for sharing some things that are rad.  Random and rad in no particular order with no particular theme.  Just stuff I like.

I signed up for this class at Homegrown Hospitality.  I need to just make something.  Just to make it.  Something new and different and with an unfamiliar technique.  I can't wait!

The kids are LOVING watching Wild Kratts.  I'm pretty strict with tv, and the combination of animals and science, plus not making me crazy, means it passes my test.  I can't believe how much they learn each episode.

My girls have tangly curly hair with really wimpy scalps.  I bought them each a Knot Genie and there are less tears each morning (if there were no tears it would really be a genie).

Speaking of tears, I made two new meals last week and only one family member cried.  That is for sure a new record.  I highly recommend Crockpot BBQ Chicken (I shredded it and put it on rolls, then used the leftovers the next day for BBQ chicken pizza), and Taco Cornbread Casserole.

More with the tears... Did you see Footloose?
Kid you not, when they were cleaning up the cotton mill and hoisted up the mason jar chandelier I started crying.  Like tears burst out of my eyes.  To which Jason looked over in confusion and mockery and exclaimed "YOU ARE CRYING OVER MASON JARS????????"
Yes, darling.  I am crying over mason jars.  Because that, is the most beautiful chandelier that just happened to be hidden and covered in dirt and dust, in a cotton mill that I ever did see.

I'm reading Kisses From Katie and it is ruining me.  But in the best way.  She inspires me.  She amazes me.

Did you catch my little Jedi's hat last week?
Crystal from Little Bit Funky sent it his way.  It is so awesome.
As I write I am snacking on one of her Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Bars.  Hello!!!
I made them for Jason's tailgate today, but I sort of want to keep them all to myself.

Last weekend's boutique was amazing.  It was so fun seeing friends come out to help bring Evie home, as well as meet new ones (hi Summer and Crystal).  I have another one coming up around the corner.  Love to see you there.

Parks and Recreation.  Funniest show on television.  There.  I said it.

Hello happy.  Jeannett and I are working on something exciting.  Can't stinking wait for the launch on November 5th.

With that I am off to try my hand at making a baby Peter Pan costume.  Wish me luck!

Happy Saturday.

Insta-Friday.

 Messy crafts are not my favorite.  Fifty billion daily school papers are not my favorite.
This is my attempt to overcome my issues.  They got messy.  I got organized.  Baby steps.

What a week.  What a week.
Confession.  We have lived here two years this week.  Two years.  Crazy.  Even crazier that our garage was filled with boxes that we had yet to unpack.  So with the help of family and friends, we went from candidates for Hoarders to this.  It was hard.  Really hard.  Tough decisions.  A huge trip to the dump.  But honestly, if it hasn't been needed in two years, is it really needed?
Plus I am parking in the garage for the first time in my life.  Love it.
Now on to my closet...
Garage sale tomorrow.  Adios stuff.  The clean and organized after makes the pain of the before so worth it.

All the cleaning made this date night all the more needed.

Slater's 50/50 lived up to the hype.  Exceeded it even.

Vampire dip?  Artichoke dip with maybe 1,000 cloves of garlic.  It was so stinky and so worth it.  It alone would have been worth the drive.  

But then came the burger.  The weird sounding Peanut Butter and Jellousy.  What crazy person thought... I'll take a bun, a patty, two pieces of bacon and top it with creamy peanut butter and strawberry jelly?  An genius crazy person.  Because it was probably the best burger I have ever tasted in my life. 

Notice anything missing on this guy?

Lucy found him.  We caught him.  He ditched his tail in the process.
It wiggled all detached for more than five minutes.
I cannot unsee that.
I wish I could.

1.  Can I say how much I love my dress up, fancy, loving girls?
2.  Our student leadership team sent us on a date after church.  They took our kids home, fed them, put them down for naps, then detailed our cars, cleaned our house and cooked us dinner.  We came home to happy kids, a meal in the oven, and a sparkling clean house and cars.  They left this note on our chalkboard.  I love our church.  Such a blessing.
3.  Fun craft from our mom's group.  Googly eyes are just so googly.
4.  My ode to the siren who makes pumpkin scones.

Link up your little moments at Life Rearranged.

Hello Zoo Talkers!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have to admit that I am sort of a minimalist when it comes to toys.  As in toys aren't my favorite.  Some find their way to grandma and grandpa's house.  Some mysteriously disappear.  I know, mean mom.  But once in a while I will break my crazy rules for special toys, ones that all the kids can play together, and toys that will last through more than one child and more than one developmental stage.

 

 

As a kid I would play with my Fisher-Price Little People sets for hours and hours.  I loved them.  Just loved.  I love that my kids now love the modern day version of Little People®.  Especially the little people zoo animals.  They are all on an animal kick right now.  The Little People® Zoo Talkers are just the perfect toy to take them to their land of imaginary animal habitats.  They especially love how their other Little People® animals can play along.

Not so bald baby is learning and imitating (loudly I might say) the sounds of her favorite animals.  She often can be seen cruising around the house, the car, pretty much everywhere with one of her favorite animal friends in her hand.  Today she is especially fond of the lion.  She has the cutest baby roar!

 

What if not only Little People® Zoo Talkers could send your kiddo to college?  How you ask?
Submit a video of your child making their favorite animal sounds- just like the new Little People® Zoo Talkers do- and you could win a $10,000 cash prize that may be used toward your child's education.
The Grand Prize also includes:
-A trip for four to Fisher-Price headquarters for a special photo shoot and an opportunity to have your child featured on a Little People® toy package or website.
-A Zoo Talkers toy prize pack ($100 value) featuring the Animal Sounds Zoo, Safari Truck and Zoo Talkers Animals!
Click here for details.

This happened.

Do you ever have one of those weeks?
Where five hundred small, lame, bad, annoying things happen?
Add in lingering neck pain from the car accident, and months of just not exactly enough sleep.
Each thing on their own would be NBD.  But together.... hello.

I'm pretty sure if we had pets, their heads would be falling off.

Then you drop your phone.  The same phone that you have dropped 49 times.  But this time, the 50th time, the time you need it NOT TO BREAK, it breaks.  Because that is how it goes.

Rich people problems.

So you cry.  Like a crazy person on a Lifetime movie, cry.  Your kids ask to watch UP.  You cry the mommy-what-is-wrong-with-you???????? cry.  Not to be confused with the ugly cry.  This cry is the ugly cry on crack. (WHY IS THAT MOVIE SO SAD BY THE WAY?)
Then you have yourself a mental breakdown day (phrase taken from Totally Desperate Mom, by the HILARIOUS Wendy Hagen,  which every momma out there needs to read).

The remedy?
It is time to treat yo'self.

Tonight I am going on a date.  I planned it.  It is happening.
I will eat vampire dip.  I will try a peanut butter and jelly hamburger.  Because I can.

The events of the last week will fade away.  I will get a new phone.  I will have more mental breakdown days.  My pets heads will still fall off.

But tonight,  Jason, and my little sidekick Shane, don't care.

It is time to treat ourselves.

Three words for you.

Treat yo self.
I really want one of these days.
Fine leather goods.

Erin Condren saves the day. Every day.

Nobody would ever accuse me of being organized.
If a list was compiled of 163 attributes and characteristics of me, organization would still not even come close to making the cut.
Perhaps it is because my brain is filled with song lyrics, tv and movie quotes, and random useless facts that would get me far on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but won't get my kid's homework in on time.

But in the olden days when I was in school, I was probably even busier than I am now, yet I kept all of my commitments and tasks.  I think the 18 year old brain helped, but I also think that my big old planner was a huge part of it.

I have tried to keep organized on my phone, on our home desktop, on a big calendar on the fridge, but each worked okay, not well.  When I saw Rachel's post on her Erin Condren planner I knew I needed one.  But mostly because it was so pretty.  Not going to lie.  I am a sucker for pretty packaging and design.

However, when my package arrived it exceeded all of my expectations.  It is pretty.  Too  pretty for words.  I want wallpaper made out of it.  Heck, I'd even wear a skirt made out of it.  Beyond the pretty it is endlessly useful.  Big spaces to write out your day.  Helpful sections to keep all that you need to remember in one place.  Encouraging and inspiring quotes.  Did I mention how pretty it is?

LOOK HOW PRETTY IT IS!!!!  (Yes, I am yelling.  It is pretty enough to warrant getting my caps lock on.)

Can you handle the pretty?

Can you handle that since I started using it, I haven't missed a commitment?
If you know me, that is a very big deal.  Big, big, big deal.

As per Jeannett's recommendation, I keep it on a cookbook stand and refer to it each morning.  Then I give it a little cuddle because it is so pretty, and is saving this random girl's brain.

Why am I going on and on about this?  Because I love it, and because I love a good deal.  A deal I wish that I had when I threw down the big bucks to buy mine.

Plum District has $50 Erin Condren gift cards for the happy low price of $25.  Yes, my friends, that means that you can get the pretty for half price.  You can gift the pretty to a friend/ mom/ sister/ mailman/ for half price.  You can keep your crazy life together for half price.

Or are you one of those jerky people who already have your life together?  Or are cool enough to use your phone/ computer/ invisible calendars?  Well, why not get the cutest address labels/ cards/ everything else for half price?

Ya.  Hello.

Half price.

But actually... more like 60% off.  Wha????  They give you $5 just for signing up.  For reals yo.
An Andrew Jackson can plan your life.  That dude has skillz.

{Edited to add even more awesome to this deal...
Today is the last day. Quick!  Use the code spooky30 for 30% off your purchase.  Add the $5 sign up bonus to the discount and you get a $50 voucher for $14!!!!  That my friends, is sticking it to the man.  By man I mean lady, the lady that makes pretty planners.)

Sign up for Plum District here.  But go quick.  Apparently these dealies sell out super quick.  I'd hate for you to miss out on the pretty.  I'd hate for you to miss an important birthday.  I speak from way too much experience.

Off to hug my pretty planner.

Happy Sunday.

Insta-Friday.

Pictures now.

Words later.

Covered in paint and chaos with last minute boutique prep.

If you are local, come say hi.

Deets below.

Two months.

How is this even possible?

For all you font snobs.

I try not to.

I really try.

But I just can't help it.

Sorry.

It's exhausting.

It would be so rad to not care.

Issues.

Have font insecurity?

Don't know where to start?

Here is a recipe for font success.

Follow it and eyes won't bleed.

Judgey Judgerson won't judge.

Hello beach.

A day with no school.
Apple picking plans gone awry.
The beach called our name.
We answered with a hello.

Inspired by and linked up with the lovely Lisa Leonard who finds such beauty in her Mondays.

Happy Sunday.

Insta-Friday. Embracing fall and Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies.

So it is as hot as the face of the sun, this week flew by, I am feeling better since our car crash adventure, and fall is making it's way into my summer loving heart.

How was your week?
Don't tell me that you wore a scarf.  Because that is just plain mean.

Checking one thing off of my Less Pinning.  More Doing. list.
{Sort of.}  I am a great starter of projects.  Pretty poor finisher.  This little leaf garland would be finished and hanging someplace festive if I bought the proper needle.  Don't grab the crochet needle in the yarn section.  It will only poke through thin air.  You will lose a thumb or other important digit if you ask it to go through a simple piece of lowly felt.  The nerve.  As soon as I get a sharp, weapon-y needle, a rainbowesque cascade of felt leaves will greet me each day.  For now the dumb dull needle is just taunting me.  Jerk.

BTDubs, or "by the way" for you people that like using proper English...
The app I use to make little collages for Instagram is called PicFrame.  It is super easy and has tons of cool options.

I have been collecting heart rocks for what seems like forever.  My sweet girls find them for me each time we are on a walk or at the beach.  I love that they think to do that.  I love that reminders of love can be found if you just peek around.  While out the other night, they found this little heart leaf.  Sigh...  I have never loved a leaf more.

Ready for a yummy fall-ariffic recipe?

One that won't be thrown in the trash like my pumpkin debacle last week?

I made these last night and they just made me happy.

A brilliant and creative nine year old boy dubbed them Sugar Burgers.

I believe that will be the working title for them in our house from now on, but the given name is

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies.

(Adapted from my fave Betty Crocker)

What you will need:

For the cookies:

1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix

1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1/3 cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 egg

For the filling:

2/3 cup marshmallow creme

1/3 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375º

Stir together cookie mix and flour.

Add remaining cookie ingredients and stir until combined into a thick dough.

Place 24 blobs (what would you call them?) of dough on ungreased cookie sheet two inches apart.

Lightly press tops of cookie blobs with powdered sugared fingertips to flatten.

Bake 8-10 minutes until set.  Cool two minutes on pan before transferring to cooling rack.  

Allow to cool completely.

While cookies are cooling, make the yummy filling by beating all three ingredients with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

When cookies are cooled, spread filling on one, top with another, press together. 

Sprinkle with a little bit of powdered sugar to make them pretty.

Enjoy pumpkiny fall goodness.

Store any leftovers tightly in the fridge.  

They make a lovely accompaniment to your morning coffee as well.

I made mine in a lovely, totally frivolous, yet brilliant whoopie pie pan.

I love it.  Love.  My mom gave it to me for my birthday last year and it is just one of those kitchen gadgets that is totally unnecessary, yet super fun.  I especially love how it made each side of the whoopie pies, perfect, lovely and even.  You don't need one to make this recipe, but it sure doesn't hurt.  Nor does the cookie scoop that I finally caved in and treated myself to.  Where in the world has it been all my life?  Seriously.  Baking bliss I say.

BTDubs again... I just came across this fancy little recipe to make your own pumpkin pie spice, and believe you me, as soon as my jar is gone, I will be playing spice mix-a-lot in the kitchen.  Because I love me some pumpkin pie spice, yo.

With that I bid you adieu.  The pool is calling my name.  The pool and a whoopie pie, of course.

Link up your simple cell phone moments over at:

Link your Pinterest adventures at:

Thankful.

Monday started off beautifully.
Big girls at school.
Jason, the little ones and I at the beach.
Sand toys and a picnic lunch.
Deserted.  A little foggy.  So peaceful.

A quick trip to Costco, then off to the school to pick up Lucy.

While stopped at a light we were rear ended.

Shaky and unsettled, I checked on Shane and Janey while Jason checked the car and the other driver.
Everyone except me escaped unscathed.
My injuries are minor.

But I am thankful.
Thankful for our big and sturdy SUV.
Thankful for safe carseats that protected my babies.
Thankful for kind doctors that are helping me heal.
Thankful for quality car insurance that is taking good care of us.
Thankful that it wasn't much, much, worse.

Besides, our love story sort of began with a car accident.

Happy Sunday.

Insta-friday.

My computer is back!
Yay yay yay yay!!!
It hasn't taunted me with it's rainbow torture, and it didn't crash when I uploaded these pictures. 
It is a happy day.

How was your day?

Here is a peek into our week through my iPhone lens...

 Things that are pretty but actually yucky.
1.  Mean computers.  2.  Local Goodwill that smells like cats and death.  3. & 4.  Two recipes from Pinterest that were a total fail and have been subsequently unpinned.

 1. & 2.  I love my Bumbleride stroller.  Love it.  But when I bought it I obviously thought that we would just keep on having girls.  I try to convince myself, that since I, a girl, am pushing it, the color doesn't matter.  But it is all kinds of pinky pinkness.  3.  I love that my husband has the patience to buy real books and real cd's.  I don't.  But there is something to say for the actual cd artwork and booklet and the ability to pass along a book when you are done.  Amazon Prime one day shipping doesn't hurt either.  4.  Squinkies.  Oh Squinkies.  The things that kids like just baffles me.  The girls have dozens of them.  But if one goes missing, which happens ALL THE TIME because they are microscopic, tears flow.  So much drama and anguish caused by one teeny little rubber creature.

1.  Rain is my favorite weather.  A rainy pj day is my favorite day.  2.  This kid is a BEAST on the soccer field.  Her little five year old league is hard core.  Elbow throwing, pushing, kicking beasts.  The lot of them.  It's nuts.  3.  The occasional dress up day is a really big deal to this uniform wearing duo.  Big big deal.  Big enough to lure me into the stinky Goodwill searching for outfits.  I succeeded.  Thankfully.  4.  This kid is a beast on the drums.  A cute, noisy, little beast.  There has been talk about setting up Jason's old set in the house.  Send help.  Please.

Link up your simple, sweet, memorable moments over at Life Rearranged.

 

Four stages of Rainbow Wheel grief.

1.  SERIOUSLY??????????????
2.  Major teenager eye roll.
3.  Fury.
4.  Resignation.


For my mental health, and the health of those around me, this naughty and disobedient computer is going to take a little vacay at a resort called the Genius Bar.
I may or may not have contemplated punching it in the face.  One hundred times.

Rich people problems.

Until it returns, adios muchachos.

Do something good challenge number one.

After having a week to digest and process all that I learned at Blog Sugar, 

the underlying theme for the evening was the truth that 

your blog is not all about YOU.

It might be about your life, but it isn't all about you.

This has proven true more times than I can count.

Honestly, I find myself rather boring and exhausting.

But when I use this little web address for more than my daily nonsense, beautiful things happen.

With that in mind, I decided to start a little monthly challenge. 

A bit of doing something good for someone else.

Using your heart, your hands and your passion to share sunshine and love.

This month's challenge involves one of my favorite things.

Feeding people.

Once this month, (or more for you honor students) bring someone a meal.  Someone who would never expect it, yet really needs it.

It is so easy to rally together and feed families after babies are born, loved ones are in the hospital, or when a relative passes away.  

But how about the family that is struggling financially?

The single momma who is working way to hard?  

The friend who is trudging a difficult season and could use a little bit of extra care?

With a little extra planning, it really isn't difficult at all.  

Just make extra of what you are making your family.

Need some ideas of what to make?

Here are some of my favorites:

Chicken enchiladas

Santa Fe soup

Brinner (a.k.a. breakfast for dinner: breakfast bake and monkey bread)

Cheater baked ziti

Chicken and biscuits

Chicken spaghetti

Ordering pizza (great option to bless someone who doesn't live close by.  Papa John's has frequent specials, is delicious, and nationwide.)

While you are at it, throw in a yummy dessert like toffee crack, lazy cookies or cobbler.  Make you sweet gift even sweeter.

So friends, are you in or are you in?

Think about who you can feed.  Think of who needs a little extra love.

Then do it.  Cook, bake, order take out.  Share.  Get the little ones involved.

Let me know how it goes.

I'm really excited!

Happy Sunday.