Pretty Pantries

When I dream about organization, I think about my pantry. There's just something about a de-cluttered and PRETTY pantry that makes me drool. Like these:

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I'm thinking my own pantry may need some sprucing up. Some wallpaper and paint (and some matching containers) just might do the trick... it may even inspire me to cook more. What about you? Are you happy with your pantry?



My Undying Gratitude

Today I'm going to shamelessly ask you to do something I'm not very fond of myself: take a survey.

This here blog is almost two years old! I'd love to have your feedback if you're a regular or occasional reader!! I have no incentive to give you except for my undying gratitude...

Thanks in advance for helping a blogger out :)

Tickle Me Tuesdays, 55th 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!

Paper Flower Garland from SheShell

Fabric Button Ring from Venicia Creations

Two of a Kind Dress from Fransesca's

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: The Promised Land

{For more on this series, click here}

In France, junior high lasts from 6th to 9th grade. Here I am in eighth grade (top left corner), absolutely miserable and knowing I had another whole year to go after this.

The plan for high school was to send me to an American boarding school in Germany to prepare me for college in the U.S. Now before you recoil in horror at the words "boarding school", you need to know a few things:

1. It was only a 5 hour drive from my parents' house.
2. EVERYONE there was a missionary kid, just like me.
3. The teachers were all missionaries too, and super nice (obviously not there for the money)
4. Some of my BFFs from English Camp were going too.
5. Anything was better than French schools.

Also, I was INCREDIBLY lonely and VERY independent -- my parents realized this and decided to send me one year early - in 9th grade instead of 10th.

They didn't know that I had been praying for that to happen... every single night of my eighth grade year. Downright pleading with God.

So when my mom broke the news to me (in a rather somber way -- it was obviously hard for her to think of "losing" me so soon), I muttered something and then went to the bathroom....

.... where I completely burst into tears.

Big, fat, happy tears of relief. 

And then I felt totally guilty for crying because I knew how hard this was gonna be on my parents!

Next week, more about this magical place:

What about you? Were you excited to go to high school? Or scared out of your mind? :)

Baby Book

Thanks to a generous gift card from my mom, I was able to buy the perfect little baby book. I've always been the sentimental sort - keeping all kinds of diaries and scrapbooks - so of course I had to find just the right baby book:

Don't you love it? It's from Rag and Bone Bindery and it's superbly well made. I can't wait to start filling it up. I look at my old baby book with absolute delight and I hope someday my child will do the same.

Providing, of course, that I have a sentimental-sort-of-child.

I'd also really like this once-a-year baby book too, but then again money doesn't grow on trees....

What about you? Did your mom make a baby book for you? Did you make one for your kids?

Valentine's Day Rice Krispie Treats

I'm happy to share with you a fun and EASY recipe you can whip up for Valentine's Day. The kids can even help out!

Here's what you'll need:

10 oz. marshmallows

3 Tbsps butter or margarine

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

16 oz almond bark (or melt-able chocolate)

Heart shaped sprinkles (or in my case, left over red and white sprinkles from Christmas. But do it right people - spring for the cutesie sprinkles!!)

wax paper

Directions:

1. Melt butter over low-medium heat.

2. Dump in marshmallows and stir until it looks like yummy ooey-gooey soup.

3. Pour in 6 cups of Rice Krispies, then stir.

4. Press into a GREASED 9x13 pan. Let cool (or put it in the freezer for five minutes).

5. When cooled, lift the entire contents of the pan with a spatula and place on wax paper. I promise you this is easier than it sounds!

6. Start pressing those cookie cutters and making hearts. Trim away the excess and try not to shove it directly into your mouth. Instead, shove the excess into a cookie cutter, molding   into a heart by hand if necessary. (The excess ones will be less pretty but still delicious!)

7. Melt your pound of chocolate, then dip in half a heart, one at a time. Sprinkle with fun sprinkles right away before the chocolate hardens.

8. Display on a platter and admire your handiwork before your family starts grabbing them!

Baby DIY Projects

I've been strolling around the internet lately, looking for simple tutorials that even my beginner sewing skills can handle. There's a lot I want to make before the baby comes in July! Thankfully school ends May 31st, and I'll (presumably) have a whole month to make stuff.

Check out these adorable baby DIYs!!

1. Crib sheet

2. Swaddle blankets

3. Nursing cover

4. Changing pad cover

5. Burp cloths

6. Travel changing pad

If you have any relatively simply baby DIY ideas, feel free to send them my way ;)

PS: Have you taken the poll yet at the top of the sidebar? What do you think I'm having?!