The Quick Journey

Remember... love

2012-02-13T19:08:00.000-06:00

Blessings overflow in our home... our hearts... our lives.

We have a marriage that isn't perfect, but a marriage that we VOW to

fight for until our last breath.

Why must we think that things that are meant to be are supposed to be easy?

I think things that are meant to be are those things that don't come easy, but are worth every ounce of pain, frustration, heartache, joy, delight, and hope.

We work at our marriage.

I love how God has matured us.

I love how God has taught us to love each other unconditionally.

I love how God has taught us the worth of our covenant.

We refuse to give up, to settle, to remain as the world tells us to.

We are blessed that God made us for each other.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

xxLiz

Becoming a Man

2012-02-06T14:29:00.000-06:00

Liam watched Mark shave one morning and decided he'd like to have a go at it.

This is how it turned out...

I can't help but giggle when I see these. I also want to kiss that adorable, chubby belly.

xxLiz

Finally... SNOW!!!

2012-02-06T14:20:00.001-06:00

We finally got enough snow to play in this Sunday. The kids went out and played with Mark for about an hour before we had to get ready for church. They were so excited.

Poor Liam didn't have any mittens, so I put socks on his hands and taped ziplocs around the socks. It worked well enough for him.

Ella even helped daddy de-ice the sidewalk.

I'm so glad they have a daddy that will get up on a Sunday and take them to play in the snow.

xxLiz

Baby Bump {12 weeks}

2012-02-06T14:13:00.000-06:00

And, we're moving out of the first trimester!!!!

I have had a rough past 6-8 weeks, but life is looking up

and it could've been a lot worse (ahem... Liam's pregnancy was soooooo hard!).

I am so happy that the last few days I have been able to act like a functioning human being.

My blood sugar numbers have been doing well and I have been fairly productive the last few days.

I can tell I'm going to "pop" faster with this one. I'm preparing myself to be okay with that.

I'm sure most people show faster with the third than with the first two.

I have had a few annoying issues with baby 3. For some reason I have to get up in the middle of the night and use the restroom... like 3 times!!! I have never had this problem and I hope it goes away. It's not good to be sleepy beyond belief and then get woke up to go potty.

I am really into peanut butter, which it typical for me. I like that it coats my tummy and keeps me from being super sick.

I have also been sick in the middle of the night. I am keeping saltines by my bed and eating them when I get up to use the bathroom because I am sick even at night.

This has certainly been different from the other two pregnancies. I am ready to move past the first trimester and enjoy the energy that everyone always says accompanies the second trimester.

xxLiz

This is how...

2012-02-02T15:54:00.001-06:00

... I told Mark he was going to be a daddy of 3!!!!

This is how we told our friends and family we were expanding our family...

This is me at 8 weeks pregnant with our little blessing...

{i got the idea to take pics like this from this blog}

There ya have it! Now you know why I haven't been posting AT ALL the past 6 weeks.

I am 12 weeks now and feeling better. We will welcome our little bundle in August.

xxLiz

Find Your Craft Friday

2012-02-02T15:40:00.000-06:00

Here we are again!!!

Another great time to show off what you've been doing.

{Quick's Top 5}

Cupboard Painting Project @ Simply Chic Treasures

Valentine's Day Art @ It's Overflowing

Art Tutorial @ The Bird's Papaya

Valentine's Mantel @ 52 Mantels

Circus Party @ Vixen Made

If you see your project, feel free to grab our Featured button for your blog... If not, visit Emily @ BabyBerry to see if you made her {TOP 5}

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops...All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Down at the Barnyard

2012-01-28T15:58:00.000-06:00

My parents got Liam this awesome barn for Christmas. I kind of asked for it on his behalf, but I'm not thinking he minds at all.

Ella actually plays with it a great deal of the time. I should have asked for this a long time ago!

xxLiz

FYCF

2012-01-26T19:07:00.000-06:00

Welcome to FYCF!!!

Check out all the awesome.ness that was linked up last week. I totally dig everyone's goodies!!

{Quick's Top 5}
Bubble Tulle Skirt @ Babblings and More

Snow Valentines @ Michelle Paige

Makeup Bag @ ...for Lauren and Lauren

Un.twistable Necklace @ Chicken Scratch

Chalkboard Table Top @ 52 Mantels

If you see your project, feel free to grab our Featured button for your blog... If not, visit Emily @ BabyBerry to see if you made her {TOP 5}

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops...All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Omelet {Recipe}

2012-01-24T15:48:00.000-06:00

I love a good omelet. They are just plain good. The problem is they are difficult to recreate without them basically being scrambled eggs with stuff thrown in.

I have perfected my omelet-creating craft, and I'm here to share it with you.

5. Once step four is complete and the omelet has had time to cook through, flip with 2 spatulas and add cheese to the underside.

6. Once cheese in melted, fold from the sides.

7. Next, fold from the top and bottom to for a burrito looking omelet.

8. I let it cook a little more and flip it a couple of times.

Then, it's ready to enjoy!

xxLiz

Find Your Craft Friday #7

2012-01-19T17:41:00.002-06:00

Love it. Love it. Love it.

Great Projects, y'all!!!

Here we go...

{Quick's Top 5}

Dryer Sheet Lantern Tutorial @ Petites Passion

Bottle Lamp @ Creative Passage

DIY Photo Canvas @ Raising Oranges

Winter Mantel @ It's Overflowing

Pillowcase Dress @ AboutBloggingTime

If you see your project, feel free to grab our Featured button for your blog...

If not, visit Emily @ BabyBerry to see if you made her {TOP 5}

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops...All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Snuggles

2012-01-17T09:21:00.000-06:00

Liam has got to be the biggest snuggle bunny there is. He loves to lay and cuddle.

I can't say that any of us mind him being so affectionate. I feel so blessed that he likes to spend time on our laps. Ella and Liam have both been very cuddly kids.

Oh, and please notice the "whitey-tighties" my big boy is wearing We are no longer diapering our little dude... he's potty trained!!!

He's not even two, so it's not something I had expected, but with all the rashes he kept getting there was no other alternative. I refuse to keep cream on his hiney for another year. He did great with the whole process (I continue to think it's the worst part of parenting... I despise potty training).

I'm a very happy, proud mommy.

xxLiz

Schoolwork

2012-01-16T12:59:00.001-06:00

Ella started schoolwork this fall.

I didn't want it to be anything too strenuous since she's still pretty young.

It has really been a time for her to learn some of her basics

and for us to spend some time together.

I have used Confessions of a Homeschooler curriculum and I have loved it!!

I am a very organized, scheduled, and structured person, so it works perfect for me.

Ella just turned four right before Christmas and has been loving all the variety the

curriculum offers.

Like I said, we're just learning the basics and simple skills right now, such as:

Patterns

Capital/Lowercase Recognition

Tracing letters and learning their sounds

Cutting

She has also been doing:

Ordering of items

Graphing

Color Matching

Lacing cards

Sight Words

Memory verses

And, then we have this lil' guy. He can't be left out, now can he?

He sits at his chair and does his own schoolwork.

Putting letter monkeys on the wrong place

But, it's so much fun!!!

Putting colored rings on the wrong peg

And, then there's snack time. Even Bedtime Bear gets a little snack time lovin'.

Apparently bears eat through their noses... not their mouths. :)

There you have it! We are having a great time and Ella always looks forward to "Schooltime" at our house!

xxLiz

Bonding Time

2012-01-14T21:10:00.002-06:00

I guess when there is a college football championship game on tv...

this is what happens at our home.

snacks... fun... and silliness galore!

xxLiz

Find Your Craft Friday #6

2012-01-12T21:14:00.000-06:00

It's that time again.

{Top 5 Features}

DIY Felt Board @ Just for Daisy
Best of 2011 @ Southern Lovely

Nursery Mobile @ Little Miss Martha

Pallet-less Wall @ Creative Little Daisy

Candlesticks @ Larissa Hill

Well done, ladies!There is definitely A LOT of inspiration here to get to work after all of the shower chaos is over! :)

If you see your project, feel free to grab our Featured button for your blog...

If not, visit Emily @ BabyBerry to see if you made her {TOP 5}

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops...All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Ella's 4 yr Pictures {Milestone}

2012-01-11T13:18:00.000-06:00

As I said in this post, things are a little tight around here. That being said, I have to find a way to take pictures of my kids without them looking terribly amateur. I find ways to create pictures that I'm somewhat satisfied with. I really liked all the pics with Christmas lights behind the subject that I had seen on Pinterest, so I tried to recreate that look with Ella's 4 year pictures.

If you have any tricks that you use to take great pictures of your kids... send them my way!!!

xxLiz

To see more of the Milestone Pictures I have taken of my kids... go here!

Yarn Wreath and Felt Flowers {Tutorial}

2012-01-11T12:11:00.000-06:00

I fell in love with all the fun Christmas crafts I had been seeing, so I decided to create one for my sister. The one I'm showing you today is the yarn wreath. I had to buy felt, yarn, and the wreath. I had the hot glue, thread, and needle.

Here is what you need:

Wreath form (I used a foam wreath and it worked beautifully)

Yarn

felt

glue

embellishments for your flowers

Step 1: Wrap the yarn around the wreath making sure to cover the entire wreath and leave nothing peeking out. {this takes time...}

Whew, that part is DONE! Now, onto the flowers... the fun part!

I'm going to show you two easy flowers to make. I stitch mine together, but I know a lot of people glue them. I want to make sure they don't fall apart on me, so I use thread and a needle. Both cheap, both easy to use.

Step 2: Create the flowers

I cut circles of different sizes, stacked them, and sewed them. I added an embellishment to the center.

I like my flowers to have some dimension, so I stitch the opposite sides of the flower together (I run my needle and thread under the embellishment). You can see how I do it in the following pictures. I do it to one side, and then stitch the other two sides together.

And, I'm done with that flower. Easy enough, right?

Next, I'm doing a rosette flower with felt. Cut your felt in a circle, making the outside edge ruffly like a flower would be. Then cut the spiral as shown below, leaving the center as a small circle so you can cover the bottom of the flower when finished.

Begin by rolling the flower and gluing every so often. At the end, you will use the center part of the circle you cut (that should be in the shape of a circle) and glue it to the bottom to cover the bottom of the flower.

Ta-da!!! I think the pictures probably explain better than my words. My sleep-deprived brain doesn't always explain things well.

Next, I arrange all the flowers I made and decide how I want them to look on the wreath.

Once I have that figured out, I hot glue them to my wreath and finish by gluing embellishments to the center of my flowers.

There ya have it!

xxLiz

Book Page Wreath {DIY}

2012-01-06T11:56:00.000-06:00

I have been going NUTS over the book page wreaths that I have seen all over the web and Pinterest.

I finally decided I would try my hand at making one.

I won't do a tutorial (unless a ton of people ask me to) because there are numerous tutorials out there already.

I did want to show you mine, because I really L.O.V.E. it!

Detail picture...

Please excuse the messy home. I'm still trying to clean up from Christmas.

This wreath is super massive. I had no idea it was going to be as big as it turned out, but I love it and it looks great.

xxLiz

Today's Creative Blog

Tip Junkie

Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Bloggeritaville

Fireflies and Jellybeans

House of Hepworths

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Be Different, Act Normal

I Heart Naptime

Find Your Craft Friday #5

2012-01-05T19:00:00.003-06:00

It's Friday, again!!!

I am doing a post on this awesome wreath I made... I think I'll post it tomorrow.

Stay tuned for that!!

Here are my {TOP 5} from last week's party

Felt Flower Headbands @ Simply Bold

Crochet Cowl @ Sew Dutch

Chair Makeover @ Sasse Life

Shutter Mail Holder @ Here's to Handy Andy

Kate Spade Cards @ I Could So Make That

If you see your project, feel free to grab our Featured button for your blog...Well done, ladies!

If not, visit Emily @ BabyBerry to see if you made her {TOP 5}

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops... All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Footprint Casting

2011-12-30T20:42:00.000-06:00

Wow... a lot of you were really interested in how I did the footprint castings for Ella and Liam.

This is the kit that I used with both of them.

Casting Keepsakes

I thought it was easy and very forgiving. Both my kids were not happy during the process and the castings still turned out fine. I did have my mom help me with them though.

I would love to know if you do one for yourself!!

xxLiz

Find Your Craft Friday {Party 4}

2011-12-29T19:45:00.000-06:00

Hey, y'all!!!

I hope you are all ready for this weekend!

Happy New Year!

I will share my craft for this week and then we'll get on with the features and link-up.

Recycled cardboard turned GIFT TAGS (click link to see tutorial)

{Quick's Features}

Mrs. Fox's Sweets delivers Yummy Cupcake bites

The Pink Ruffle designs a Nordstrom Knock-off Bracelet

Petites Passion crafted a Dryer Sheet Tree

SweetGirl Expressions made a Distressed Mirror Knock-off

Adventures of a DIY mom created a Fancy Dress

If you see your project, feel free to grab our featured button for your blog...If not, visit Emily at BabyBerry to see if you made her top 5!!

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops... All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

{Quick} Christmas 2011 Recap

2011-12-29T12:36:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve Tradition: Christmas Jammies!!!

Christmas Eve Reading: Jesus' Birth and Humphrey's First Christmas (great book!)

(liam trying to escape reading time to test Santa's cookies)

Christmas Morning: Presents, Homemade Breakfast Scones, Church

We hope you had a great Christmas and have a wonderful New Year!

xxLiz

Footprints

2011-12-23T07:33:00.000-06:00

I love these ornaments.

You can see every crease and wrinkle in my babes' baby feet.

They were cast within their first month of breathing.

(ella's tiny foot)

(liam's rather large foot)

This was their Christmas present for their first Christmas with us.

I adore them and look at them often when the tree is up.

I'm glad that I didn't let the exhaustion and crazy post-pregnancy hormones keep me from

casting my babies' feet.

A true keepsake...

xxLiz

Whole Wheat Bread and Treats {Recipe}

2011-12-22T08:24:00.000-06:00

I have been on the hunt for the perfect bread recipe that I can actually get to turn out.

Let's be honest... that is tough.

I have researched and tried my hand at many recipes.

Most have turned out dense and literally feel like a brick.

I have thrown a lot of dough away... sigh.

Not.Any.More!

I have finally succeeded at making the prefect bread from scratch with freshly milled flour made by my WonderMill Grain Mill- Yum!

It might not look like much in that pic- but, trust... it is heavenly!

And, so are the cinnamon rolls that I made with the dough as well (recipe makes 2 loaves, or a loaf and then dough for cinnamon rolls).

Here is the recipe taken from DreaWood:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup hot water
1/3 cup oil (I use coconut oil, but canola would work fine)
1/3 cup honey
2 tsp. salt (I use sea salt)
1 egg (optional)
2 Tbs. Lecithin
1 tsp. gluten (optional)
4 – 4 1/2 cup freshly milled flour
1 tbs. Yeast

*Combine the water, oil, honey, salt and egg into a large bowl. Once stirred mix in the lecithin, gluten and half the flour. Mix well.

*Add yeast in next and enough flour to make a soft dough.

*Knead dough until it forms a nice firm ball. I had to knead for 5 minutes, by hand (cover hands with flour).

*Once dough is formed into a ball, place into a sprayed bowl – and let it rise until doubled.

Drea's Tip: If you pre-heat your oven to 170F (or the lowest temp possible) – and allow for it to heat your oven a bit, it will help with the rising process. Just be sure to CUT THE OVEN OFF, while the dough is in the oven rising… you don’t want it getting to hot.

Once the dough doubles (this took me about an hour, or so) – take out of bowl, knead down again on floured surface… split the ball into two pieces… placing one piece back into the bowl.

**********************************

Loaf Bread:

I put one ball (shaped like a loaf) in a greased loaf pan and let it rise again for another 45- 60 minutes in the warm oven.

Once it rose a little more I set the oven for 350 and baked for around 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!

Cinnamon Rolls:

I rolled the other half of the dough out into a oval shape. Cover in melted butter, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Roll into a jellyroll and slice. Place in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Let rise until doubled and bake for 30 minutes in 350 oven. Enjoy!

Wow! That was a long post!

xxLiz

Christmas {Traditions}

2011-12-21T19:47:00.003-06:00

The kids and I made sugar cookies to share with our close family and friends.

They helped me roll and cut the cookie dough.

I rolled the "good" cookies that we would deliver to our peeps,

while they played with the extras.

I seem to have forgotten to take pics of the final products.

Disappointing...

We all had fun making the little treats. Ella took her time rolling and cutting carefully, while Liam man-handled his dough.

Next year, it's back to gingerbread houses!!!!

xxLiz

MIA

2011-12-20T19:12:00.000-06:00

Life has been crazy, busy at my house to say the least.

I have been cleaning, purging old toys that are neglected, and baking.

(ella's gingerbread house from last year)

I was talking with a friend about how when we were young it seemed

as if Christmas arrived so slowly,

but when you have a million presents to buy/make and food to prepare...

as an adult you could use a few more days.

(below are pics of the kids from last year... haven't taken pics this year. guess i better get on it!)

I am always ready for Christmas once September is over.

I really could skip Halloween.

But, once the special day is here...

the wait is always worth it. :)

xxLiz

Find Your Craft Friday~ No. 3

2011-12-15T13:19:00.000-06:00

Hey there, friends!

Can you believe we're so close to CHRISTMAS!?!

It's amazing...

Here are my FYCF Features from last week.

There were so many wonderful link-ups.

Check it out...

{Quick's Top 5 FEATURES}

Snowman Cookies from Mrs. Fox's Sweets

Pillowcase dress and leggings from Fancy Frugal Life

Christmas Ball Art from 52 Mantels

Jingle Bell Ornaments from Turtles and Tails

Glamorous Trees from Bella Nest

If you see your project, feel free to grab our featured button for your blog...If not, visit Emily at BabyBerry to see if you made her top 5!!

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops... All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Giveaway at The Pink Ruffle

2011-12-15T12:46:00.001-06:00

Headband Giveaway!!!

The Pink Ruffle

Go check it out and enter to win!!!

xxLiz

Hazelaid {Natural Living}

2011-12-12T21:36:00.000-06:00

I have struggled with eczema ever since I was a freshman in college.

I get it on my hands and the first time I had an outbreak, I thought it was poison ivy.

Eventually, I went to the clinic to have them give me something for the rash.

It was then that I learned I had eczema.

(yes... i colored my hair for winter. i needed a change.)

For me, it is brought on by stress and dry, cold weather.

Lotions do not help me.

I have to use a strong, prescription cream to take care of it (which I don't like using).

(check out my Hazelaid necklace)

I was really excited when I heard of a company, Hazelaid, that creates jewelry that helps heal eczema.

They sent me a necklace for myself and Liam (he has eczema, too) to try out and see if it helps us.

To be honest, they are pretty cute and Liam doesn't seem to be bothered by his at all.

He had a patch of eczema on his cheek and within 24 hours it was almost gone...

Serious!

If you want to check Hazelaid out, click their button on my right sidebar and see for yourself.

They help heal a lot of different ailments... even teething pains for littles.

Check them out!!

Enter Quick10 at checkout to get 10% off your entire purchase!!

Happy Healing...

xxLiz

Homemade Crescent Rolls {Recipe}

2011-12-12T12:15:00.001-06:00

It's no secret that I'm in love with crescent rolls. I could eat an entire package of those little rolls.

The only problem is they are processed and simply not good for you.

With that being said, I stumbled upon this recipe from How Does She? and decided to give it a try.

Those are my rolls pictured above and they were 100times better than any refrigerated crescent rolls.

They were easy to make and I froze about 30 rolls to pull out as needed and enjoy.

We enjoyed ours with yummy, homemade chicken noodle soup. The roll pictured above was pulled out of the oven a tad early because I had a hungry little man on my hands. :)

I hope you try the recipe...

xxLiz

Perfect Peppermint Patties

2011-12-10T16:47:00.000-06:00

I love Christmas, and I love peppermint patties. With that being said, Christmas time is when I make my homemade peppermint patties. If you like patties... stay tuned and check out this simple recipe!

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
9 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons shortening

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and extract until smooth. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating well.

Roll into balls and place on parchment paper (on cookie sheet) and refrigerate for several hours.

Once chilled, flatten the patties and refrigerate for a few more hours.

Now comes the fun part...

Melt your chocolates and crisco until nice and creamy.

Dip your patties in and place back on parchment paper to firm up.

Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Don't they look yummy?

Enjoy!

xxLiz

Johnny In A Dress

2011-12-10T06:59:00.002-06:00

Make sure you go visit Natalie over at Johnny In A Dress.

She is giving away one of my headbands!!!

WonderMill {Review}

2011-12-09T06:36:00.000-06:00

I have been interested in milling my own wheat and making bread for my family.

Needless to say, it was a HUGE blessing when I received a WonderMill Grain Mill to review for

The Quick Journey.

Let me start off by giving you a few details about this machine:

*It is electric (no hand cranking going on here)

*It mills the wheat to the perfect consistency

*It is almost a 'whisper' when it is milling the wheat berries

The flour is so nice and warm... fabulous to bake with!

I even had a little helper with the bread.

And, then there is the reward for the "Little Red Hen" that worked so diligently.

{fyi: I shared with my family}

The bread was so yummy with a hint of honey.

This whole process was really easy and actually very rewarding.

The kids have been eating a slice of bread every day and are LOVING it!

Thank you WonderMill for the amazing grain mill!!!

xxLiz

Bread recipe to be posted soon

Find Your Craft Friday- Features and Party #2

2011-12-08T20:11:00.000-06:00

Welcome back, everyone!!We are so happy to be back with
Find Your Craft Friday!

And HELLO to all of those who are new to FYCF this week!We are so excited to see all of your latest projects!First, I would like to share my favorites from last week's party...
The Quick Journey's Top 5:
Keeping up with the Times Book page Trees

Southern Lovely Advent Calendar

Watch Me Daddy Felt Flower Scarf

Creative JuiceDIY Cable Knit Topiaries

A Little Inspiration Gingerbread Cupcakes

If you see your project, feel free to grab our featured button for your blog...If not, visit Emily at BabyBerry to see if you made her top 5!!

Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!

PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, recipes or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other party goers... Say Hi or leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?

Grab a button and HAVE FUN!!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops... All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

Gift Tags {DIY}

2011-12-08T13:22:00.001-06:00

I love personalizing gifts for my friends and family. This year I decided to do a simple, brown paper gift theme.

To go along with my packages, I made my own gift tags.

I used a thin cardboard (you could use cardstock) and cut circles out by tracing around a glass.

I had two Christmas stamps, so I used those.

I stamped "TO" on the back for the name.

Then, I colored the stamped pictures to add a bit of festive-ness.

Ella colored some as well.

Next, I used raffia ribbon to attach the tags.

These are so simple, yet they look great under our tree.

xxLiz

Family Coasters {DIY}

2011-12-08T13:14:00.001-06:00

DIY Coasters:

We have been in need of some good coasters for about, ummm.... 7 years!

I saw some DIY coasters done by Lindsay and Kara.

That is when I thought, "I'm going to do this!"

What you need:

Family pics

Coasters (dollar store)

Modge Podge

possibly a Sanding Block

Scissors

I started by cutting the pictures to size.

Then I put a thin layer of modge podge on the coaster and placed the picture on top.

I applied a thin layer of modge podge (going in the same direction) onthe picture. LET DRY!

Once dry, I applied another layer of modge podge in the opposite direction. LET DRY!

I sanded the edges with my block to make them even and smooth.

Voila! They are done and perfect.

Easy-Peezy! Let me know if you make some coasters!!!

xxLiz

linked to:

Today's Creative Blog

Tip Junkie

Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Bloggeritaville

Fireflies and Jellybeans

House of Hepworths

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Be Different, Act Normal

I Heart Naptime

Winner

2011-12-05T22:56:00.001-06:00

Congrats to

Brooke

(comment 20)

the winner of the headband pictured below!!!

I will send you an email!!!

xxLiz

winner chosen via random.org

giveaway sponsored by the pink ruffle

Where is the Praise?

2011-12-03T11:30:00.000-06:00

I recently wrote a post over at Flats to Flip Flops for Thoughtful Thursday. I thought I'd share it here, too.

I love my kids so much that I can think about them as I lie in bed and tears will well up in my eyes. How did I get so lucky to be blessed with these two amazing little people? How was I ever good enough for God to bestow such gifts on me?

If I feel unworthy, how did Mary feel to be carrying the babe that was to save us all?

How precious that baby was. I love that baby even more than my own.

The truth is, God did choose me to mother these kids. I feel so passionate about this that I stay at home with them so that I can train them up in the ways of the Lord. My husband and I lead a high school youth group. It is our ministry to our community. We in no way feel that we are to train the kids that come to our home once a week. We merely assist their parents. We minister to those that may not otherwise learn about God's love.

With that being said, no one is to train my kids, except my husband and myself.

God didn't put that on anyone else's agenda, but ours. He created a love in us for our kids that no one else can feel. That love is an incentive to train our kids to love and fear the Lord.

I want to encourage mothers. I know what if feels like to go day, after day, with no accolades. I went through college getting praised for my skills and grades. I worked several years getting praised for being a great teacher and serving the kids in my classroom. I know how good that feels.

I also know that it doesn't hold a candle to the feeling I will experience when my children walk in the light of the Lord. As a stay-at-home mommy, we have to keep our eyes on the prize. I choose to forgo the praise of man, and look to the praise of my Father. I choose to train my kids and hear him say, "well done, good and faithful servant."

xxLiz

Find Your Craft Friday {Link Party}

2011-12-01T20:08:00.000-06:00

This is my craft:
A Banner
A Cake
and Cookies...

Here are a few pics from Ella's birthday party this week.

the cake

the banner- tutorial coming soon!

the sugar cookies

And Now for the PARTY!
I am excited to announce that The Quick Journey and BabyBerry are co-hosting a new crafty link party this Friday!!Before we get started, I would just like to thank my wonderful co-host, Emily @ BabyBerry! If you haven't stopped by to visit her... you definitely need to!
Here are a few things that you need to know before you link up!
PARTY RULES:

Please link directly to your POSTS, not your main blog. This way, visitors won't have to search through all of your posts to find what they're looking for! {NO other giveaways, link parties, or shops please}
Please link posts only pertaining to your latest projects involving one or more of the following: crafts, organization, holiday traditions, decorating, or any other creative ideas.
Please follow your hostesses, The Quick Journey and BabyBerry
Please post our FIND YOUR CRAFT FRIDAY button under your posts, so that others can join in on all of the fun!
Most importantly, stop by and visit other partygoers... Say HI and leave a comment, because you know we ALL love a good comment! :)
Come back next week to see if we chose YOUR link as one of our TOP FIVE!

Ready to join in?Grab a button and HAVE FUN!!

*Once again, please don't link up your giveaways, link parties, or shops... All of these will be removed.

Thanks!

A Birthday {Milestones}

2011-12-01T15:04:00.000-06:00

My little girl turned 4 this week. Monday we had a Princess Party for her and a few friends, and then Tuesday was just cake and presents for us and the grandparents.

I made a simple banner to hang on our sliding door. I think I might post a tutorial on how I made it. Although, you can probably figure it out by looking at the picture. I spent $0 on this banner and it was pretty cute.

This is my lovely with her cake.

My lovely afraid the candles were going to jump up and bite her.

My lovely blowing her candles out with all her might.

pretty sure she's not going to like this picture being on the internet when she's 16

The cookies that somehow got devoured. It was my first real attempt at making sugar cookies.

They turned out yummy and I think I will make and ice some with the kids for Christmas.

Ella opening her gifts on Monday with her friends all in their princess attire.

She was the Belle of the Ball. haha

My cake lady quit making cakes (BOO!)... so, that means I get to make the cake. It looked okay.

It did taste VERY good, though. And, I think that's what matters, right?

And, last but not least, my boho-hippy fairy in all her glory.

I love that girl... so much!

xxLiz

*******************************************

Don't forget to enter my HEADBAND GIVEAWAY.

ends 12/05

Angel Rolls

2011-12-01T08:37:00.000-06:00

These rolls are simple and will probably only require you to buy one ingredient.

The kids helped me make these... until they began having a sword fight with the beaters.

I finished them up on my own while they enjoyed some reading time in bed (which really equals Ella enjoying reading in bed and Liam screaming for me from his crib).

Here are the goods:
3 c. and 4c. bread flour
2 1/2 tsp. salt
2 pkgs. yeast (4 1/2 tsp.)
4 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk powder (find it in the baking aisle)
1 cup oil
2 2/3 cups HOT water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Mix 3 cups flour with all other dry ingredients.
Add oil and water and beat just until moistened.
Add remaining 4 cups flour. (May need to add an extra tablespoon or two depending on how humid the day is.)
Turn onto floured surface and knead 4-6 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut out with biscuit cutter or glass.
Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes

These rolls came from the blog Feathers in our Nest.

Aliesha is a Christian mommy and wife that has a love for homemaking.

If you haven't visited her blog... go check it out.

It was one of the first blogs I think I actually blog-stalked.

Now I just enjoy reading her most recent posts... no more stalking. :)

xx~

Liz

linking to

Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Tuesdays at the Table
Tuesday Night Supper Club
Tatertots & Jello

**************************************************************
Don't forget to enter The Pink Ruffle giveaway.
You could win this adorable headband!!!

The Pink Ruffle {Giveaway}

2011-11-30T14:03:00.001-06:00

I have another great GIVEAWAY coming your way just in time for Christmas!!!

Ashley, from The Pink Ruffle, is an amazing headband boutique owner.

You must know that if I'm advertising for a headband creator (since I have my own headband shop) I think her stuff is really special.

A little about Ashley:

She is married and has an adorable little sweetie, Emrie. Emrie is the reason she started her headband collection. She wanted her little miss to have some fabulous hair decor without paying ridiculous prices. Trust me when I say... Her prices are totally awesome!!!!

She sells headbands for ladies of all ages.

Please check out her shop and see what you can find for yourself.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!!

One lucky winner is going to take home the adorable headband pictured below.

You have several ways to enter:

Mandatory---> follow The Quick Journey

Extra--->

follow The Quick Journey on facebook

follow The Pink Ruffle blog

subscribe to my Feedburner

visit The Pink Ruffle shop and tell me what you like

Thank you so much, Ashley for hosting the fabulous giveaway!!!

Merry Christmas

xxLiz

winner announced 12/05

Winner {Giveaway}

2011-11-27T22:17:00.001-06:00

I am so excited to announce the awesome Stitches by Sarah GIVEAWAY winner!!!!

Congrats,

Steph!!!!

Steph said...

I liked The Quick Journey on FB (Stephanie Hegland).

Slynh999@gmail.com

I will send you an email so you can receive your $20 credit!

Have a happy Monday everyone.

We are celebrating Ella's 4th birthday tomorrow and Tuesday, so pics will be coming soon!

xxLiz

winner chosen using Random.org

giveaway sponsored by Stitches by Sarah

Gratitude

2011-11-21T13:00:00.001-06:00

Gratitude.

Grateful for small hands to hold.

Grateful for smiles that warm my heart.

Grateful for times when they love each other more than themselves.

Grateful for messes to clean up.

xxLiz

The Cantelmo Family {Guest Post}

2011-11-20T23:32:00.001-06:00

Melanie, from the Cantelmo Family, is here today to bless us. I am over at her blog doing a wreath tutorial.

******************************************************

Hi my name is Melanie and I have a little blog over here.

I am so thankful to have met Liz and am excited to swap blogs with her today!

I look forward to meeting you, so pop on over and say hi.

I started blogging to keep my family in Canada updated on how our family was doing down in toasty Arizona.

Soon I realized I could use my blog to bless and minster to others.

I blog about my faith, family, parenting and some other fun stuff (like giveaways and my attempts to be crafty).

I pray that I can be a blessing and encouragement today as I share with you what’s on my heart.

A few weeks ago I was shopping at Target with all three of my busy super active kids. We were managing well, until my middle daughter had a melt down. She didn’t want to stay in the cart and when I allowed her out, she ran as fast as she could.

I calmly put her in the cart and the screaming started.

It got louder and louder. Then the screaming turned into crying.

Everyone was looking at me.

I felt like everyone was judging me.

Then my daughter started saying she wanted chocolate. I told her no because I didn’t want to reward bad behavior. Then a lady looks at me and rolls her eyes.

Have you been there?

I know most of us have.

Our kids aren’t robots; they don’t always behave perfectly.

Especially when they are hungry, tired or fed up.

I always thought I’d be the best parent ever until I became one.

God has completely humbled me.

It isn’t easy to raise kids; I have to fully rely on Him to help me.

As if parenting wasn’t hard enough then we have to add on the constant judgment we get from others.

Do you feel that way?

As mommy’s we are judged if….

We are too strict or too lenient

We breast feed or bottle feed

We let them cry it out or cuddle them too long

Our kids are having a temper tantrum at the store or church

We are a single parent or going through a divorce

We don’t parent how “they did” back then

We buy take out or go through a drive thru

We eat organic or we don’t eat organic

We gain too much weight during pregnancy or not enough weight

We caved and bought a van (I call mine the momma mobile)

Sometimes we judge others….

I can’t believe she would……

How could she let her child do that….

How can they let their kids go there….

My kid would never act that way….

Source: Uploaded by user via Ashley on Pinterest

Unfortunately, I have to admit I’ve judged others.

Then a few minutes later I’ll get frustrated because I will “feel” that someone is judging me.

I have learned that I can only control myself my thoughts and my actions.

If I don’t want to be judged, I shouldn’t judge others.

When I catch myself starting to judge I say to myself

Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Source: Uploaded by user via Ashley on Pinterest

I desire to love like Jesus loves. So often I fall short.

Jesus loved prostitutes, tax collectors, the diseased, imperfect people and sinners like me. He didn't judge them; He just loved them.

One of my favorite quotes by Mother Theresa is:

“If you judge people you have no time to love them.”

Source: iwontbetrayyou.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Isn’t this so true?

Lets focus more on loving others than judging them.

Lets stick up for one another when someone starts judging.

Lets not give dirty looks at the frazzled mom in Target while her little one is having a meltdown.

Lets love on the single mom who is struggling to get by.

Lets love on the broken.

Lets love on the unlovable.

Lets pray that God would give us His eyes.

Source: diosmudanzas.tumblr.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you today.

If you often feel judged because of your situation or past,

know that God is a redeeming God and He can use your situation for good. You just have to let Him!

If you would like to read how God has changed my life,

read my testimony here.

*******************************************

Thank you so much, Melanie!!!

xxLiz

Christmas Shop {Paisley~or~Polkadots}

2011-11-20T04:23:00.001-06:00

rose garden

I added some new items to Paisley~or~Polkadots! Check out the new headbands and get them before Christmas!!!!

popsicle headband

holiday blast headband

TakeMeKnit Headband

Make sure you stop by!!! Everything is handmade and stitched... not glued!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

xxLiz

*************************************

Also, don't forget about the Stitches by Sarah Giveaway.

Click the giveaway box in the top right corner of my sidebar!!!

Good luck!

The Perfect Little Dresser

2011-11-17T14:52:00.000-06:00

I thought that when we built our home we had plenty of storage on the main floor. Don't get me wrong, we do have a lot of storage, but with crafting supplies and kid toys galore... it disappears fast.

I had been wanting a white dresser for our foyer to add some drawer space and lighten up the area.

I was in Goodwill and found this baby with an attached mirror for $15. It was in good shape, so I asked if they would take $10 and keep the mirror (I didn't want the mirror). And, they did.

My friend (who is 4'9) and myself (who is 5'2) loaded this thing in her massive Ford truck and headed on our merry way.

I did not seem to take enough pictures during the process, so I will tell you what I did. I primed the entire piece after I removed hardware and washed it down. I used Rustoleum primer. Then I taped off the top and sprayed the rest with Rustoleum in Glossy White. I had to do several coats to make sure it covered well.

The top (which is a laminate) was done by sanding VERY gently and then staining with a dark walnut stain. I let the stain dry for several days and then I applied 3 coats of polycrylic to the top. I love the stuff!!! It is simply amazing to work with. I put it on with an old t-shirt of Mark's. Perfect!!

Mark and Liam ~~finally~~ put on the hardware. I kept the original hardware for the two top drawers and bought new hardware for the bottom drawers.

Here are the magnificent AFTER photos:

What do you think??? I love it. It is so simple and so cheap. The total project costed around $25- $30. Who can beat that???

linked to:

Today's Creative Blog

Tip Junkie

Power of Paint Party

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Bloggeritaville

Fireflies and Jellybeans

House of Hepworths

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Be Different, Act Normal

I Heart Naptime

He's a...

2011-11-17T09:03:00.000-06:00

... wonderful daddy.

And, those are some blessed children.

~Liz

*******************************

Check out my fabulous GIVEAWAY!!!!

Click the box in the top right corner of my sidebar to see details.

Want to win a fabulous hat, stork sack, baby fringe hammock, a baby tutu, etc. for yourself, or someone else for Christmas???

You need to enter my giveaway!!!

Rocks in the Road

2011-11-15T19:26:00.000-06:00

This was not a planned post, but my heart is full.

I'm not going to lie and say that

today has been the greatest of days.

ella at the church Christmas program december 2010.

In fact, I had a terrible morning according to my standards. I went to bed late last night and didn't get my nighttime reading done. I woke early and got only a portion of my reading done, which is a disappointment because I really love that quiet time before the house wakes.

I get the kids up and running and leave to take Liam to my parents so I can take Ella to her gymnastics class and have some mommy and me time with my little lady.

I drop off the little handsome and hop in the van that I swore I'd never drive, only to back it into the four-wheeler that was sitting in the gravel behind my car.

The steal scraper attached to the front of the four-wheeler made a perfect incision in the back bumper of my

not-so-cool mini.

The van, that I am already ~~most of time~~ ungrateful for because it really diminishes my cool factor, now has a brilliantly noticeable slit for all the world to see.

I drop my head in frustration.

I decide to let tears fall in disappointment.

Upon further investigation, there was no way that I could have seen the four-wheeler sitting behind me. I sit too low in my seat, because God made me a perfect 5'2, to have been able to see it. The seats in the back where the kids sit, in addition to the natural blind spots of the van, made it impossible for me to have seen the four-wheeler.

I remember that it is only a vehicle and that the four-wheeler was not a life that could have been damaged.

It was a car and an atv. Not a life. Period.

I went on to gymnastics only to have Ella not want to go with her teacher because the gym was like an icebox to an almost four-year old. I couldn't talk her into going and trying her hand at all the obstacles on the gym floor.

ella at her first gymnastics practice- august 2010

I drop my head in frustration.

I decide to hold back tears and walk her out of the gym... who cares, right?

With that being said, my morning was a wreck, right?

Then, God turns my heart. I have a vehicle, that might be uncool, but runs and has plenty of airbags to protect. I have kids, that although are disobedient at times, are learning the forgiveness and grace of their Heavenly Father. I make mistakes, that although at the time seem massive, are mistakes that can be repaired. There are thousands of blessings abounding in my life...

my sleepy babes- august 2010

xxLiz

****************************************************************

don't forget to check out my new GIVEAWAY!!! you don't want to miss out on this fabulous-ness.
Click the GIVEAWAY box in the top right corner of my sidebar.

$20 credit to her shop and free shipping on your entire order!!! that's something to check out!

Yelling {Book Review}

2011-11-15T13:45:00.000-06:00

I was recently approached to write reviews for a magazine and website called, Eternal Encouragement (formerly Teach magazine). They have a "mom blog" that gives support to mommies everywhere.

I prayed about it and decided to give it a try. So, here it goes...

Every mom, at some point or another, will yell at their child. I am a firm believer that yelling doesn't get you (me) anywhere, but there are times that voices do get raised. It never feels good after the situation has dissolved and you sit and think about how that affected the relationship you have with your child.

Were you calm? No.
Were you in control of your own emotions? No.
Were you showing self-discipline? No.
Were you offering grace? No.

But, the truth remains, we are ALL sinners and can't escape the mistakes we will inevitably make.

*****************************************************************************

This e-book is a tool to give yelling mommies some steps to take in order to remove the yelling from the parenting. There were several valid points that I will share, and then I encourage you to check it out yourself.

1. Recognize your triggers...

Hello?!?! When I'm busy and my kids aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing, i.e. not bothering me, I find myself more apt to yell at them. I will tell them to stop arguing and share. Yeah... come on all you 4 year olds out there- SHARE!
Seriously? Who am I kidding... which leads me to the next point.

2. Train your children...

I fail to do this when I'm busy as well. I HAVE to clean, or cook, or write a quick email to someone. I don't have time to train, so they need to train themselves, right? Ummm... that doesn't work either.
We are their mothers, and God has entrusted them to us. We need to train them before all else.

3. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord...

When you take time to bond and play with your kids, you are less likely to yell. Love on them. Play with them. Sing with them. Just be... with them. Who wants to submit to a mommy that is mean and uncontrolled? They want to follow a mother that is worthy to be praised.

4. And last, but certainly not least, Pray.
We should daily cover ourselves, and our families in prayer. We have a big job to do. We have many obstacles that can only be overcome with God. He needs us to come to Him and lay our troubles down at His feet.

Enough babbling from me... check out the e-book!

xx Liz

Stitches by Sarah {GIVEAWAY}

2011-11-14T13:41:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to introduce you to one of my friends and blog sponsor, Sarah.
She is the delightful owner and operator of the fabulous knitting shop, Stitches by Sarah.

cotton candy tutu

Sarah is a stay-at-home mommy of two adorable kiddos and loves to click her needles when they are restfully sleeping. She has been knitting for over 20 years and has a passion for creating high-end knits.

chunky little boy blue pom-pom

I know you will adore what she has, whether it be for photo props, a hat for a friend's baby, or for your little one. Sarah searches for the best yarn (trust me... it is so soft, I'd like to sleep in it) to make her delicious knitting treats with.

baby grapes chunky pom-pom

And, I have a great announcement! Stitches by Sarah is offering one amazing Quick Journey reader a

$20 credit
toward any item in her shop (no custom orders). She is also offering free shipping for the entire order.

This is such an awesome opportunity. Sarah has a wonderful shop and I know you will all enjoy perusing her virtual shelves.

*******************************************************

Here is what you have to do to enter:

Mandatory:

Follow The Quick Journey (hit the follow button in the right sidebar)

Extra Entries:

Visit Stitches by Sarah and tell me what your favorite item is the shop

Like The Quick Journey on Facebook

Like Stitches by Sarah on Facebook
Subscribe to my feedburner (in the right sidebar)

Post about this giveaway on your blog

Post about this giveaway on your Facebook page

There are so many easy ways to enter this fabulous giveaway. Make sure you take advantage.

There you have it, friends! Have a great day!!!

xx~Liz

Christmas Sweater Pillows~ {The Allred Abode}

2011-11-12T20:37:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! We have a guest here with us today. Katie blogs over at The Allred Abode. If you get a chance, go visit her and give her some bloggy love.

**************

Hey I’m Katie from over at The Allred Abode, and I just wanted to thank Liz so much for doing a blog swap with me today. I am super new to the blogging world, and she is so gracious to help me! I can tell that Liz is a woman of God, and she has been blessed with such wonderful talent and a beautiful family.So today I completed my first Christmas decoration. I know, there has been a backlash against decorating for Christmas, and listening to it's music too early, so don’t worry too much, all of my Fall decorations will stay up until November 24th. I got this idea from Living Savvy, another crafty blog.Here is what I made:

These used to be sweaters! I found some old Christmas sweaters at DI, and covered pillows with them, all for around 10 dollars!

Materials needed:

White Pillows

Pullover Sweaters (need to be stretchy)

Stitch Witchery

Iron

Some sewing pins

Here's what I did:

Starting with the sweater, cut the material in the stomach area into 2 squares, with the front and back of the sweater matched up. With the side that you want to show in your pillow facing outwards, lay the stitch witchery in between the two layers, and iron for 10 seconds on each side for three of the sides. You can also sew up the sides, but I use stitch witchery for any projects I can.

For the fourth side, it starts getting tricky, just like any pillow. Turn the pillow case right side out and stuff the pillow in. Then pin back about 2/3 of an inch on each side, to make sure no loose seams are sticking out, and lay the stitch witchery down on the bottom side. Keep the witchery in between the layers and iron slowly down the last side of the pillow, about 3-5 inches at a time. Take out the pins as you go, and pretty soon, your pillow will be done!

To add a little bit more Christmas Spirit to mine, I also used the fabric from the arms of the sweaters to make fabric poinsettias, and then stitch witcheried them onto the outside of the pillows. I didn't worry about fraying edges for these flowers, I think it adds to the cuteness of them.

To make the flowers, I googled "fabric poinsettia flowers how to" and it took me here for an outline of poinsettias. I did five petals for the larger flower, and six for the smaller one. I didn't print out the template, but just made a little sketch with sharpie on the fabric, and then cut around it. Like this:

I have a feeling this will be the first of many Christmas crafts to come, so I hope you'll join me at The Allred Abode.

Thanks again Liz,

Katie

*********************

Thanks, Katie!

Okay, you all have a great day.

And...

Don't forget to check out Paisley~or~Polkadots and enter the coupon code

HOLIDAYS20

to receive 20% off you entire holiday purchase!!

I have sold a lot of headbands at local craft shows, so grab them up now because I have another one on November 19th and they are sure to sell. People are eating them up like hotcakes.

xx~Liz

I Heart Naptime
BNonTP
today's

Flashback

2011-11-11T08:11:00.000-06:00

I can't get enough of this little girl's preciousness.

This is Ella when she was 20 months old.

She was a sweet, tiny little butterball.

We went with my mom to Pagosa Springs and that is where this was taken.

I love this picture!!!

In a few weeks I will be posting pictures of her 4th birthday.

It doesn't seem real.

Little did I know that I was in the VERY early stages of pregnancy with Liam.

Oh, memories....

xx~Liz

Have a great weekend!!!

Delicious Rice Pilaf

2011-11-09T21:09:00.000-06:00

If you like rice... you will LOVE this recipe. If you don't like rice, I think you will still enjoy this recipe.

This rice pilaf is easy, quick, and extremely yummy. It has a hearty flavor from the beef broth, and then a sweetness from the dried cranberries. My husband and kids even love this pilaf.

Here are the details:
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped celery
1 tbsp. butter

*put in large sauce pan and saute until tender

1 cup (I used 1 1/2 cups) long grain rice
1/3 cup (I used 1/2 cup) dried cranberries

*add to above mixture and brown for a few minutes

2 cups beef broth

*add and bring to a boil.
reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes
until rice is tender and fluffy

Not only is this easy, but it's cheap. It makes enough for a family of 5 and is filling. I use it as a side dish with my pork loins. You can accompany chicken or chops with this pilaf. It merries well with everything (maybe not tacos... or pizza. just sayin').

I haven't posted a recipe lately here at The Quick Journey, so take that as a sign that this one is worth trying!!

Chow~

Liz

Tasty Tuesday
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Tuesdays at the Table
Tuesday Night Supper Club
Tatertots & Jello
Today's

*****************************************************************

Don't forget to check out Paisley~or~Polkadots and enter the coupon code
HOLIDAYS20
to receive 20% off you entire holiday purchase!!

I have sold a lot of headbands at local craft shows, so grab them up now because I have another one on November 19th and they are sure to sell. People are eating them up like hotcakes (or, rice pilaf!).

This is what it looks like...

2011-11-09T20:15:00.004-06:00

at our house when daddy is trying to leave to go to work.

Liam is completely smitten my his daddy.

I'm completely smitten by the whole situation.

Ella was a total mommy's girl, and actually wanted absolutely nothing to do with Mark

at this age.

(ella and mommy at treasure falls- july 2009; ella is 20 months)

I get giddy watching Liam love on Mark.

Mark has a hard time leaving because Liam will hold on with his arms and toes and lay his head on daddy's shoulder.

Who wants to leave a snuggling baby???

This is one of the millions of blessings we receive each day.

xx~

Liz

Why does He care?

2011-11-08T21:51:00.001-06:00

I have to be honest... there are many times when I sit and think, "There is no way God cares about lil' ol' me." I sometimes can't grasp why He needed us in the first place. He is God... does He really need anything? But, then I think about my life and it is all put in perspective.

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Genisis 1:27

It is said right in the Bible that we are created in His image. When I think about my desire to have children, and how they fill my life with so much goodness, despite their sinfulness, I realize why God wanted us so badly.

Do we really need our children? No. We can survive without them. We can cook, clean, and dress ourselves. We can work and make money without them. Yet, we have a huge desire to have them in our lives. Just ask a woman who can't conceive if we really need children, and she will tell you emphatically, "YES!" I can't imagine my life without my children. I would be devastated without them here with me.

I need this little guy to help me with canning salsa.

That is how God thinks of us. He didn't have to have us to keep going on being God, but instead, he wanted us. Isn't that so much better? He didn't need us, yet he still created us to bring Him happiness. Even in spite of our sinfulness, He loves us and wants us to love him. Just like we love our kids in spite of their sinfulness.

When I pray and begin to think that there is no reason for doing so because I am no one special... I know that that isn't true. God wants me to talk with him and spend time with him. I know this because that is the desire of my heart with my own children.

xx~
Liz

***************************************************************************

Don't forget to check out Paisley~or~Polkadots and enter the coupon code
HOLIDAYS20
to receive 20% off you entire holiday purchase!!

I have sold a lot of headbands at local craft shows, so grab them up now because I have another one on November 19th and they are sure to sell. People are eating them up like hotcakes.

Holiday Craft Show

2011-11-05T22:29:00.001-05:00

Be sure to stop by The Vanilla Tulip

and join in on the handmade Holiday Craft Show.

Paisley~or~Polkadots (my Etsy shop) is taking part in the craft fair this year.

Today was my feature on Ashley's blog.

It is a fun, easy way to get your shopping finished with amazing handmade items. A lot of the items are handmade my mommies who stay home with their babies. Give them a little love and stop by their shops.

I have also added some great hand knit (knit by me) headbands that are soft, colorful, and fantastic for the cold weather.

Make sure you check it out!!!

I am offering 20% off your entire purchase upon checkout.

Just enter the code: HOLIDAYS20

Unconditional {Love}

2011-11-01T22:14:00.000-05:00

I know Mark and I were placed together by God's hand. He wasn't my usual type. He wasn't the star athlete (although he is athletic... he just didn't care for sports much in high school). He wasn't the bad boy ( I seemed to always gravitate towards them and try to fix them). He wasn't the player (they are always such a challenge, right?).

Instead, he was respectful. He was a gentleman that didn't play games. He committed to one person and didn't want to waste his time with meaningless relationships.

Why did I deserve him? I'm not totally sure. I believe that God puts people together who work for the good of His kingdom. So when I say we have unconditional love... it's because we aren't the "perfect" match that people are always saying they are waiting for. We aren't E-Harmony compatible.

We are, instead, God's plan. And, that is way better than any online compatibility test. We have our disagreements and we are working on a huge learning curve- absolutely. My point is this... how can you have unconditional love for someone if you never have to look past their ugliness? If you are totally compatible, how do you grow in love?

We both have qualities that the other doesn't prefer, but we learn to grow and love the person even in spite of them. We love even though they leave their clothes lying around. We love even though the perfect meal isn't on the table. We love even though one of us snaps at the other. We know what real love is, because we married an imperfect person.

No one loves truer than Jesus. The Perfect loves the imperfect.

~Liz

linking to:
casey's
courtney's
raising homemakers

Beauty and Chip

2011-11-01T14:32:00.002-05:00

Mommy: "What do you want to be for Halloween?"

Ella: "I want to be Belle."

Mommy: "Okay, you would make a perfect Belle. What should Liam be?"

Ella: " Liam should be Chip."

**********************************************************************

That is how the conversation between Ella and me went down when discussing costumes. And believe me when I say that her father was very pleased (NOT!) when he found out his son was going to be a teacup with a lot of pink on it.

*insert laughter*

But, there is one thing that can be said for that little teacup... he's the cutest little teacup I've ever seen.

The rim of the teacup wouldn't stay up very well because of Liam's arms, but he stilled looked the part.

Ella was so thrilled to get to wear her dress and hairbow.

Costumes were made by my amazing and talented mom... who needs to teach me how to sew- Soon!

They need to make carseats that are specifically for Halloween costumes... how do you buckle a kid up with a teacup costume on???

Poor Liam had to go to bed without chowing on some candy. Ella got her two pieces and then was off to bed. Here she is picking out those two special candies.

Does anyone think this is an exhausting holiday? All the getting in and out of cars and walking with kids in costumes up and down the street?

Anyhoo, on to the next holiday. For me, once Halloween is over it's Christmas. I love Jesus' birthday.

~Liz

link
link

Carving out Memories

2011-10-31T13:12:00.002-05:00

How's that for a totally corney post title?

Anyhoo, it is a tradition for us to carve pumpkins.

I love to do it as an adult (rather watch Mark do it), and Ella looks so forward to picking out her character and having daddy carve it into her pumpkin.

ella's headband: Paisley or Polkadots

Next, Daddy carves out the top. Kids watch... anxiously....

Then, it's time to dig out the inside.

Just look at Liam's face in this next pic. I didn't get his entire face, but he wasn't too fond of the digging part.

He gave it a try, but once was all it took and he was finished with the gooey-ness.

Mark is a master-carver and he has his own special techinique.

It's called "grab thumb tacks out of my wife's drawer and poke the pumpkin with them" technique.

It's very sophisticated.

Once you take the stencil off of the pumpkin you have a perfect outline of your character.

Now you dremmel.

Here is the final product. I know it's a little difficult to see. That's my fault... I had a dog jumping on me and Ella was afraid of the dark. It's blurry, but oh well. Great job, Hubby!!

**********************************************************************

Here are some pics of the last two years of pumpkins. Ella went through a long phase of loving the Mickey Mouse characters. Thus, we had Mickey one year and Minnie last year.

Have a safe Halloween!

~Liz

linked to

linked

Map Art

2011-10-30T14:31:00.000-05:00

DIY: Map art, PEOPLE!!!!

I am insanely in love with all the map art I've seen out there. I love how it adds color, and earthiness, to a room. So, I decided earlier this summer that I needed some for myself. In walks exhibit A:

A picture that my hubby bought me back when we were newlyweds. It has traveled from home, to home, with us and graced the walls of our hall bathrooms. I decided to ditch the daisies earlier this year and do something different, so I had this frame just collecting dust in our very ~~tidy~~ dusty basement.

I tore it apart, which is pretty self-explanatory. You flip it over and take it apart.

Then I spray painted the frame white.

I took the cardboard that was holding the daisies in the frame and wrapped the map around the cardboard.

The map, by the way, cost me $0.01 on amazon.com. I did have to pay a small shipping fee, but come on... one penny?!?!

I then put the map into the frame and secured it with the already there staples.

It hangs in our foyer and greets all who enter. Hello, world...

What do you think??? Map art is the coolest!

linked to

linked

A Slice of Heaven

2011-10-28T07:14:00.004-05:00

My kids are my little slice of heaven.

They bless me beyond measure.

I love that God loves me enough to give them to me.

I pray daily that I am a mommy that teaches them to love God.

I pray daily that I am a living example of God's love.

They are my reason for being.

They are what makes me smile every day.

They are my infinite blessings.

via creative photography by shayla

*********************************************************************

Liam is 19 months and these are from his 18 month shoot we did. I'm no photographer, so they are mediocre, but with Mark's new job and working commission (which God has provided and is taking care of us)... we have to cut costs somewhere. Photos are one of those places.

~Liz

Amazing Ladies... Coming Together

2011-10-27T18:27:00.001-05:00

This is where you will find me today...

Come join in on the fun!!!

********************************************************************

Here is a pic for those of you who just come to see my kids... (hello, family!)

Fall just isn't the same...

2011-10-26T07:21:00.000-05:00

... without a trip to the pumpkin patch!

For the last three years we have went to visit my sister's family and gone to the pumpkin patch the weekend before Halloween.

This year the kids had a lot of fun... here is our trip in pictures (warning: lots of pictures ahead!!!).

The next set of pics are of Mark and Liam: Oct. 2010 and Oct. 2011.

My little man is growing up.

Wait for me, sister!!!

Gamps and his two littles.

This was the ONE!!!

And, of course, the family photo... can't leave the patch without one!

I hope y'all are having a great fall. I love this time of year!!

Things I HAVE to Make... soon!

2011-10-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

I need me some infinity scarf action... asap! I love how simple and stylish they are. You can wear them with jeans and a t-shirt, or with a cute dress. Love!! This scarf was made by VixenMade (click for tutorial).

I WILL be making one for myself. :)

I am also digging the whole Maxi skirt scenario. This looks sooo comfy and can also be dressed up... or down! This tutorial I found at Elle Apparel.

Also from Elle Apparel, is the Nautical dress. I am totally into the nautical theme this fall. I love all the navy/white stripes out there.

When I will be making these lovelies... I don't know, but I WILL make them eventually. And, I will probably post them on here.

~Liz

A girl needs her pedicure...

2011-10-23T13:19:00.000-05:00

... and apparnately, so do her grandkids.

This is what I was dealing with as I was attempting to give my mom a pedicure.

Not the easiest, nor relaxing, of circumstances.

Before I went to school and received my elementary education degree, I received my nail technician's license.

Very rarely does my mom ask me to give her toes a refresher, but when she does, I think it's the least I can do to oblige her.

How many feet can fit in a small pedicure bath???

I know, I know (hand raised in the air like a kindergartner)... 5!!

What would I do if I didn't have little feet to get in my way?
I love those little feet.

BabyBerry Blog

2011-10-20T21:03:00.000-05:00

Hey 'Quick' friends! Today I am over at a great blog styling a frame with some awesome Map Art--- check it out!!

Here on The Quick Journey we are being visited by an adorable chick from the BabyBerry blog.
Welcome, Emily!!!

*********************************************************************

Hi there! My name is Emily and I blog over at BabyBerry...

I started my blog in early 2010, when I was newly expecting our first child, as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. Over a year later, I am amazed and overwhelmed at all of the lovely ladies that I've met through blogging-- Liz being one of them, of course... (but you already know how great she is, because you're here)! Not to mention all the fabulous DIY ideas that I've discovered, and have desperately tried to store in my brain (for which I am SO thankful for the invention of Pinterest)!

I will admit that I never considered myself very crafty or creative. Once upon a time, I was a Big-City dwelling, full-time (plus overtime) workaholic who was very passionate about my job, and now I'm a (mostly) stay-at-home momma, living in my super-small hometown, who views my career as more of a hobby... I still find it strange sometimes, but I'm loving it! Especially because I get to spend all of my time with this sweet little face...

Being the momma of a freshly 1 yr-old girl, I am generally more of a "naptime crafter" these days...
But I am so excited to be here today to share my latest project, which has been on my To-Do list for quite some time... It's quick, it's easy, and it's very inexpensive. These are three things that really attract me to a project! :)

DIY Earring/Jewelry Frame

Supplies needed:

*wood photo frame (I got mine from Michaels for around $1, but you can use a larger one if needed)

*your favorite scrapbook paper

*scrapbook decor rosettes (I found mine at Hobby Lobby around the scrapbooking section)

*Modge Podge

*acrylic paint (I used white)

*a metal or vinyl screen (I used vinyl screen from an old screen door that we replaced)

Directions:

1. Sand your frame with fine-grit sand paper to remove any "snags" that might be there.

2. Put on your first layer of Modge Podge, and once it gets a little "tacky," add another layer of Modge Podge on top of it.

3. Apply your desired scrapbook paper to the frame (just a hint: you may need to line up any patterns with the frame so that they appear even after you cut the paper). Smooth out any wrinkles and really squish the paper into the Modge Podge on the frame, so that it stays in place. Let it dry.

4. After the paper is completely dry, cut out the form of the frame with an X-ACTO knife, or something similar. To avoid tearing, I put the scrapbook side down and cut from the back of the frame.

5. Apply a thin layer of Modge Podge over your scrapbook paper. Let it dry.

6. When it's dry, you can sand the edges of the scrapbook paper if desired.

7. Paint all exposed areas of your frame your desired color. I chose white to make the design on the scrapbook paper stand out. Let it dry.

8. Add your rosettes and cut your screen a little larger than your frame's opening.

9. Hot glue your screen to back of the frame.

10. Add your earring collection!

Like I said, it's SO easy... The hardest part is waiting for the everything to dry!

A BIG thanks to Liz for allowing me to share with all of you! Feel free to stop by and visit BabyBerry...
I would love to hear how YOUR frames turned out! :)

God Bless,
Emily

***********************************************************************

Wow! So cute and sassy! I love the frames. Thank you, Emily!!!

Be sure to bounce over to her blog and check out my Map Art tutorial.
~Liz

Guest- BabyBerry Blog

2011-10-19T22:50:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow (Friday) I will be over at BabyBerry doing a fabulous tutorial on MAP ART!!!

Which I totally dig and you can see that if you take a gander at my Pinterest boards.

Anyhoo, you will be reading from a great bloggy friend, Emily, who blogs at BabyBerry.

She is a mommy, wife, and total DIYer. She and her hubby are creating an amazing home for their family by fixing up a family home that is over 100 years old. Trust... you want to check this chick out!!! Tomorrow she is going to do an awesome post for you here, so make sure you check back!!!

Giveaway Winner!

2011-10-18T15:09:00.001-05:00

I have chosen a winner for the Headband Giveaway!!!

Congrats, Angela!!!! I will contact you for your shipping info!!

Comment #8
*******************************************************

Angela said:

"I follow u on Google Friend Connect"

Winner chose via random.org

Giveaway sponsored by Paisley or Polkadots