Tickle Me Tuesdays, 54th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Bronze Custom Map Key Ring from Uncommon Goods

10 Way Wrap from Cuff Luv

Birds of a Feather Ceramic Teacup Set from Ruche

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a><br />

2012 New Year Blogging Party

I'm celebrating a new year of blogging with a fun swap hosted by Casey, Danielle, and Alycia!

My partner was Sharon, and I had so much fun putting her goody package together :)

I was equally excited to get her package in the mail (such a welcome change from the usual bills and junk mail!). Take a peek:

She did her homework and knows I like pretty paper! That's why I was especially excited to for those cute little tabs:

What a fun way to start off the new year!!!

Baby Update: Boy or Girl?

Happy Saturday, folks! Next week I'll be heading off to the doctor to check on Baby. There's a chance I'll be able to find out at this appointment if we're having a boy or a girl (fingers crossed!). I'm so excited to find out so I can start creating and decorating!

Would you do me a favor and answer the poll question at the top of my sidebar? What do you think Baby will be?? My colleagues at work are all of one mind so I'm anxious to know what my bloggy friends think :)

Oh, and here's the latest baby bump update:













Have a fabulous weekend!!

Lovely Lust-Haves: Scarves

It amazes me the kind of variety you can find in scarves. From infinity to chunky to braided... I want them all! I'm a firm believer that you can never have too many scarves. If my pocketbook would let me, I would own each of these lovelies:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

What about you? Are you as addicted to scarves as I am?

Sponsor in February

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Check out all the options here and shoot me an email!

sarah [at] yesteachercrafts [dot] com

From the Crockpot

I love using the crockpot, but I don't use it as much as I should. Here's some inspiration for those busy (and cold!) work nights:

1. Mac and Cheese

2. Enchiladas

3. Lasagna

4. Taco Chicken Bowls

5.. Baked Potato Soup

6. French Onion Soup

Do you have a favorite crockpot recipe? Do share!!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 53rd edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Fern Hill Lace Clutch from K Davis Creates

Organic Cotton Blanket from Jenna Rose Handmade

Love Vase from Petit Bonheur

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a><br />

Missionary Kid Monday: English Camp

{For more on this series, click here}
First off, let's just start by saying that Junior High was an awkward time for everyone. I haven't met anyone who has reported having a great time at that age. I don't care if you were the popular one, or the biggest nerd around (ahem... like me). Case in point:

And living in France made it no less awkward.

We had moved to a new region my seventh grade year. New teachers, new school, and just a whole different ball game. I found that everyone my age "grew up" while I was in California during the sixth grade. My classmates were cussing like sailors; they were obsessed with kissing (etc.); and most were smoking on a regular basis.

As an introverted Christian bookworm, I felt out of place on so many different levels! I was like a fish trying to live in a tree.

My saving grace was English Camp.

You know how fat kids go to Fat Camp? And nerdy kids go to Science Camp? Well missionary kids living in France went to English Camp.

Every summer, I spent two weeks up in the Alps brushing up on my spoken and written English. It was a way for our parents to ensure that we weren't losing our mother language. The one absolute rule at the camp was No French Allowed. (No Frenglish Either). We all tried really hard to respect that - but I would be lying if I said a French word didn't occasionally slip out...

In any case, I lived for English Camp. It was where I discovered that there were other misfit missionary kids just like me who also felt like fish living in trees. We formed fast and intense friendships; bonds that ran deep. We laughed; we cried. We felt happier than we had ever been. We BELONGED.

And we agonized when our two weeks came to an end. We exchanged snail mail addresses (man I feel old!) and promised to stay in touch. And we were pretty good about it!

What about you? Did you ever go to camp as a child?

Lovely Lust-Haves: Retro Kitchens

I'm starting a new feature this year that showcases my favorite "must-haves". Except, let's be serious: no one is going to die without these items ... thus the title "lust-haves" :)

Today is all about retro kitchens! Take a peek:

1. SMEG refrigerators

2. Yellow Magnetic Kitchen Timer

3. Vintage Measuring Spoons

4. Hamilton Beach Retro Toaster

In my next life, I reeeeeeally want a pink refrigerator!

In the Bedroom

Today's Inspiration Workshop is all about the bedroom. And for the first time in 9 years of marriage and four different apartments/houses, I can say that I truly do like our bedroom. Here's a peek:

I made the silhouette art of my husband and me. Here's a closer look:

But the wall across our bed needs something. I'm thinking a bold and graphic decal.

I love that our bedroom is a pretty place to relax. How do you feel about yours?

New Mamma Reading

I know there's LOTS to learn about becoming a mom for the first time, but I'm a little lost about where to start. (There's just so much out there!)

So far, this is the only book I've read in depth - and while somewhat informative, it was definitely HILARIOUS and worth the read:

The authors/bloggers have a website here and a book trailer here!

But on a more serious note, are there any books that you would recommend for me? Books about labor/delivery? Breastfeeding? Baby care?

Please share! I'd love your suggestions!

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 52nd edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Distressed Sign from Barn Owl Primitives

Wood Calendar Chalkboard from Urban Outfitters

Surfer Cuff Leather Rope bracelet from Cheng

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a><br />

Missionary Kid Monday: Moving

{For more on this series, click here}


After my traumatic sixth grade year in California was over, it was time to go back to France for another four year term.


We moved to a different region this time, to Grenoble. At first we stayed in a conference center in the Alps, owned by our missionary organization. It was about an hour away from the city, and the winding road ways were a NIGHTMARE for my motion sickness.

via

We were only supposed to be there temporarily, but my parents were having an awful time finding a house to rent. They were looking for something big, in order to accommodate large groups of people (youth groups, Bible studies, etc.), but they also needed something very affordable.


They saw dozens of houses. Some of them they even liked but were outbid by someone who was willing and able to pay more rent. 


They prayed and prayed, but became very discouraged. My siblings and I started school, and still... no house.


Then one day, after about six weeks of dead ends, they came upon the perfect house. But the rent was way too high.


So my dad knocked on the door to talk to the tenants. He asked them to tell him every single thing that was wrong with the house (everything from the non-working fireplace to the minor inconveniences). Armed with that information - and much prayer - he was able to negotiate with the owners for a more reasonable rent. 


And that is how we came to live here:

It doesn't look like much on the outside, but there are four stories in there (plus the basement), several bedrooms, a spacious living room, and a great backyard with a cherry tree. I can still taste those cherries! Every summer we would get gobs and gobs of them!


Do you have a favorite childhood house?

The Best of the Blogosphere

As the weekend is fast approaching (and I hope you'll be enjoying a THREE DAY weekend like I will be - yahoo!!), I thought I'd share some of my favorite blog posts that I've seen this week:

via

- Six printable 2012 calendars via Delightfully Noted And they're free too!

- Custom fabric wall decal tutorial via Positively Splendid I want to do this for our nursery :)

- Six Twitter New Year Resolutions for your business via Oh My Handmade

- Ten rules for living well when life sucks via Powering Possible

- How to make a Facebook business banner via Just Lovely Things (I've got to try this!)

- Seven ways to simplify your creative work life via The Academy

- Don't Carpe Diem via Momastery - I found this to be quite thought provoking... what do you think?

- I'm trying to win a Baby Cargo Ultra Lightweight Stroller via The Bragging Mommy, and I'm also trying to win The Original Baby Bullet via Thanks, Mail Carrier! Wish me luck :)

Easy Peasy Black Bean Soup

You know those nights when you just don't feel like cooking? Or those days when you swear there's nothing in your pantry? Or that last day right before payday when you feel totally broke?

Meet my favorite recipe: Black Bean and Salsa Soup

via

This recipe is originally from Allrecipes, but I've made some delicious modifications!

Here's what you'll need to do for this easy peasy (and cheap!) meal:

Ingredients:

• 3 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup chunky salsa (or 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 
  
• Optional:
• 
  
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
• Crushed tortilla chips
• Shredded cheese
• 
  
• Directions:
• 
  
• In an electric food processor or blender, combine 2 cans of beans, broth, salsa, garlic, and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.
• 
  
• Add the third can of black beans into a saucepan. Add the blended bean mixture and cook over medium heat until thoroughly heated.
• 
  
• Ladle soup into 4 individual bowls, and top each bowl with the optional toppings
• 
  
• I promise this meal does NOT taste like it came out of a can!! And it's so filling and yummy for these cold winter nights!

Documenting my pregnancy

After much thought and much internet surfing, I've decided to document my pregnancy by harnessing the powers of Picnik. I'll be wearing the same green dress in all of the pictures (it's VERY roomy for when I start showing more). Here's what I have so far:

I'm kicking myself for forgetting to document any of the weeks between 7 and 14. Life got chaotically busy, but oh well. There are still many weeks to go!

Did you document your pregnancy? How did you do it?

Tickle Me Tuesday, 51st edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

XOXO Angel Red Bowl

Vinyl Decal - Grass Hearts

Black Lace Leather Belt

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy lately?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a> <br />