Thursday, April 21, 2011

Happy {handmade} Easter!

{a scrappy egg created with precious little hands by Princess #2}

{gifts with love for our teachers}

{simple glittered eggs created to become a part of our Easter table}

{mini banner made from studio scraps sharing our reason for celebrating}

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
1 Peter 1:3

 Happy Easter!
love & blessings!
Jill

Thursday, April 14, 2011

happy "little things"...

a little rainbow of glitter on my desk...

a little painting created by Princess #1...

 a little surprise gift from a precious friend...
(that I just looooove!)

a little line-up of Spring polish...
(our favorites! by Essie, from left to right)
Sand Tropez, Turquoise + Caicos, Ballet Slippers, Coral Reef, Nice is Nice

a little spot of favorites in the bookshelf...

a little face that just melts your heart!...

Princess #2's dream-come-true-
"Winston"!

 he joined our family this past weekend
and has us all a bit smitten!

 What's on your happy "little things" list right now?
Oh, please do share!

love & blessings!
Jill

Thursday, April 7, 2011

nesting...

well, creating "noodle nests" that is...
one of the children's favorites they look forward to (and ask for!) every Easter!

a simple little treat, created with:

24 paper baking cups
3 T. butter or margarine
3 T. creamy peanut butter
3 C. mini marshmallows
1 (12oz.) bag chow mein noodles
jelly beans
24 marshmallow chicks

Melt margarine over low heat. Gradually stir in peanut butter, then slowly
add marshmallows. Stir until mixture is melted and smooth.

Remove mixture from heat. Add noodles and stir until noodles are coated.

Spoon mixture into paper lined muffin tins and shape to form nests.

When nests are cool, you may add jelly bean "eggs"...

 and of course a little chick too!

Enjoy!
&
Happy "Nesting"!

Many Blessings!
Jill

p.s. ya'll just blessed me beyond words with all your emails (and comments)
filled with prayers and well wishes!
You are just the sweetest readers! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!-
and the stone is moving along...slowly, but moving!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Views from where I lay...

it seems a kidney stone has decided now would be a good
time to move (must be the theme for the year- move!)

so, I decided while I'm just laying here...
-which is NOT my favorite thing to do!-
I'll share a few random thoughts and photos from the new house-
from where I'm laying, on the couch, in the family room!
Did ya'll notice I wouldn't let them put the T.V. above the fireplace?
I was thinking I didn't want it to be the "main" focal point...
guess that didn't work out too well!- I bet your eyes went straight to
that large black box!-*please note however,  it is not on while I'm laying here!
(I'm not a huge fan of T.V.,  are you?)

my trusty sidekick Odie is laying in here too!
   His "downstairs bed" is kept right here in the family room-
He's never far from anyone who isn't feeling well, He's such a sweet dog!

I'm not sure if you can tell in this picture or not?...
but all the ceilings in the house are painted the palest blue,
I have done this in most of our homes- "nothing but blue skies" for this girl!
It just casts such a lovely glow in the home!
I chose chandeliers for every room in the house- I LOVE beautiful lighting!- 
it's like "jewelry" for your home!
Can you guess which room my husband "drew the line"
on my chandelier love?  yep! this one!...
now that I'm laying here though, I'm thinking I REALLY would like to replace
that fan with another chandelier!- we''ll see.

and of course on the coffee table you'll find a large glass of water-not coffee!
I've been drinking lots and lots of water,
hoping and praying this kidney stone will move on out!- quickly!
I've also been enjoying perusing through some of my favorite magazines and books!
Ya'll do know about Amy Powers amazing e-books (and now hard copies too!)
"Inspired Ideas"? Oh! there are such a delight! A true treat!

I brought my "stitching bag" down too,
hoping to work on a few little projects, but haven't felt well enough right now-
maybe tomorrow...

 for now though, I'm just content laying here- and not in the hospital-(thankfully!) 
focusing on just how beautiful life really is-
even when things don't go according to your plans!
Goodness! I think this might be the longest post I've ever written!
 Thank ya'll for enduring my random ramblings and little tour!
You are too sweet!

I hope you have a wonderful day!
 lots of love & blessings!
Jill