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Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I have accomplished some things...


My last post was just a touch negative, and occasionally I have to remind myself that there are actually quite a few things that I have gotten accomplished. One of the projects that I've managed to finish is an adorable wreath which I plan to hang on the doors to the church (of course I've only finished one, so I still have one more to do). It is a styrofoam wreath form wrapped in yarn, and embellished with a couple of purple felt flowers and some green silk hydrangea blossoms leftover from the bridesmaid's bouquets, so yes I do have something done, actually I've accomplished a lot more than that thank goodness! But there's an example

Monday, September 13, 2010

Only ideas...for now

So I showed you those super cute wedding ideas that I found last night, but ever since I have had wedding decorations on the brain. I cannot wait to get my hands on some cute papers and get to work because right now all I have are ideas and a bunch of computer graphics, I so badly want to actually make something. Unfortunately there is this thing called work, you know, the place that I have to be for 9 hours a day, so I can't make anything at the moment. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and I definitely feel like it is a part of me, but we all have days where we would much rather shut ourselves away and craft all day. Since I couldn't do that today I went to Hobby Lobby on my lunch break. It didn't quite satisfy my urge, but I was able to get some supplies, so at least I have them when I so finally have time!

Tell me how you satisfy your crafting urge, and how in the world do you finish big projects in time to meet deadlines?! I would love some suggestions!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Wedding Inspiration

I was completely exhausted from my hours of laundry (don't you just love unpacking after vacation? Ummm no.) so I walked out into my studio to work on something mindless, but when I saw the disaster area that is my studio right now I just wanted to cry. We're talking pieces of centerpieces, bouquets, and invitations everywhere! Yea, I turned around and when back in the house, where I made a big giant list of every thing that I have to get done in the next 8 months, and after I finished my four-page list it dawned on me that maybe I really don't have to make everything myself (gasp!). So here I am, trolling etsy for ideas, and things that I really might be willing to pay someone else to do for me.




I was originally planning on doing these myself, but when I saw how much they cost, and I thought about how much of my time they would consume, I think I'm going to order them after all. PartyPoms has a huge color availability, and her photos make me drool!


This incredible idea is from KristinaMarie. Oh I have died and gone to heaven, this is exactly what I was looking for! I want to drape these beautiful garlands over our church pews. However I think I will make my own because I have got to try this out! How easy could you get, paper circles and a sewing machine, I just got a scalloped circle punch from Martha Stewart's craft line that will be perfect for this. Granted, I'll let you know how easy it is after I try it...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Vacation is exhausting!

I am wiped out, who knew that vacation could completely wear you out. But honestly I'm not suprised, we did a lot today. We started bright and early (not so much, we didn't leave the campground until 10) in Berlin Ohio, which some cute shops, but for the most part has become overly touristy. I did get a couple of things, some new towels for the kitchen, one of the best stores is Berlin Bulk Foods, which is filled with baga and bags of noodles, cake bread and muffin mixes, dried beans, seasonings, flour, and candy. I picked out a cinnamon muffin mix, along with some pumpkin cappucino mix, which I was super excited to find.

From downtown Berlin we headed to a place we always hit, no matter what; Heini's Cheese Chalet. We never eat all of the cheese that we buy there, but it's so much fun to sample all of them! And then we drove 15 minutes to Charm Ohio. It's not even a town, more like a tiny speck on the map, but it Is home to my very favorite Amish bakery, Miller's Bakery. We walked in the door the minute that they pulled a tray of giant cinnamon rolls (I'm talking the size if my face giant) out of the oven, and the scent hit me like a ton of bricks. Needless to say, we bought one of those, along with a variety of cookies.

We went back for lunch at the camper, and then headed into town for the fair. We were hoping that the forecasted rain would hold off, but no such luck, we left the fairgrounds soaked to the bone. Luckily Aaron's brother lives close by, and we were able to throw some things in the dryer while we visited. When we finally left at 9 we still hadn't had dinner, so we ended up at the applebees in Wooster. I could've cared less about my food, I was too busy savoring my giant glass of Red Apple Sangria, which was absolutely to die for!

Now I'm back at the camper, and I'm completely content. I'm warm, dry, and full, and feeling like a bit of a party pooped because I am so ready to crawl into bed! Pictures will be up soon!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Yummy camping goodness!


So yes, I fully realize that this picture looks like chewed up mush, but it's not, I swear, and I felt so bad about not posting pictures that I went ahead and posted it anyways, but, I digress.

Last year at this time we went camping in Amish country and I posted one of my favorite camping recipes, campfire pies, this year we are again camping in Amish country, so I am sharing my new favorite thing with you, dump cake, or heaven in your mouth!

Two cans of fruit pie filling, we used apple, a white cake mix from a box, a can of mountain dew, and approximately 2 tablespoons of butter all cooked in a Dutch oven over hot coals. It's incredible!!!!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Chili!!

I apologize for two posts in a row without a picture, in my defense I did take a picture for this one but the lighting was horrible and it didn't make my super yummy chili look very appetizing at all.

Anyway, I am addicted to elephantitas alegras, I read kate's hilarious posts every day, and she has got me craving chili. I'm not typically a chili person, but I couldn't get it out of my head so I did a quick google search and found a recipe for a creamy white chicken chili, which has officially become my favorite dinner recipe EVER! Here it is:

1lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1/2inch cubes
1 med. Onion - chopped
1 1/2tsp. Garlic powder
1tblsp canola oil
2 15oz cans great northern beans
1 14oz can chicken broth
2 4oz cans chopped green chilis (I could only find a 7oz can, but I only used 2/3 of it)
1tsp salt (I used 1/2)
1tsp ground cumin (I used 3/4)
1tsp dried oregano
1/2tsp pepper
1/4tsp cayenne pepper
8oz sour cream
1/2cup heavy whipping cream

In a large saucepan sauté the chicken, onion, and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink.

Add beans, broth, chilis, and seasonings, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Remove from heat, stir in cream and sour cream. Serves 7

I don't know about where you are, but it's definitely going to be chili weather in Ohio this weekend! Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Super cuteness!

I was so excited to show you the gifts that I just ordered for the girls in my bridal party, until I realized that would totally ruin the suprise for them, so that picture will have to wait, but I can definitely tell you that I got them from a very talented (and ingenious!) etsy seller and I am so excited that I bought one for myself too! The hardest part is going to be not giving them to the girls before the rehearsal dinner, which is not for another 8 months. I am so the kind of person who gets more excited about giving gifts than about getting them!