Thursday, February 26, 2009

Fashion is my Passion on Fridays...

I went to my sister's the other day (and had super fun!...I love you Tori!), and while I was there I made a trip to Target. Check out my wonderful finds...






Not bad huh?!

In honor of me being so ready for warm weather I thought I would dedicate today to sundresses...

1.


2.




3.


4.





5.






6.




I'm thinking all of these will be great for this summer...shopping, vacation, church paired with cardigans, dates w/ the hubby, on and on I could go! Let me know what your favorite look is and what your favorite things to wear this summer are!

Have a great fashion filled Friday!!!



Photobucket

Randomness...

Here are a few pics of the boys cleaning up the mess in our backyard after the ice storm. Our poor trampoline...I'm not sure it will ever be the same...


Hard at work...



At least the down trees were good for something...Jungle Gym anyone?...



I took the kids outside the other day for some fresh air and a walk. In the wagon for Ruthie and a bike ride for the Kane-man. However in these pics Kane decided to join his sister in the wagon...




Kane taken a break from all the heavy duty activity...



Photobucket

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Banana Nut Bread and a little Quality Time...

Kane and I cooked up some yummy banana nut bread the other day. I love to bake, but more than baking I love spending special time with my little man.

I got the recipe from Food Network. It is super yummy!!!


Ingredients

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 4 overripe bananas
* 1 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
* Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

Mash 2 of the bananas with a fork (or the little man's hands) in a small bowl so they still have a bit of texture...


...and just know: it's a messy job, but somebody has to do it...


Next...

With an electric mixer fitted with a wire whisk, whip the remaining bananas and sugar together for a good 3 minutes; you want a light and fluffy banana cream. Add the melted butter, eggs, and vanilla; beat well and scrape down the sides of the bowl...



Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated; no need to overly blend. Fold in the nuts and the mashed bananas with a rubber spatula...

(these nuts went all over the counter...what a mess!)

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Give the pan a good rap on the counter to get any air bubbles out.

Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Don't get nervous if the banana bread develops a crack down the center of the loaf; that's no mistake, it's typical. Rotate the pan periodically to ensure even browning.

Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes or so, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Toast the slices of banana bread, dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve.

I actually made muffins instead of bread...I cooked them for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick through the center of them comes out clean...



Enjoying the fruits of his labor...


Photobucket

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Friend Makin' Mondays...

So glad you are here and hopefully you come wanting to get to know each other and make some friends...because to me that is what blogging has become! A great way to make friends, and believe me, I have made some great ones!!!

You can go here to learn the rules of Friend Makin' Mondays.

Today's task is to share 10 of your favorite things:

Kasey's List of Favorites:

1. Shoes - stylish ones: flat or heeled, any color, just cute!

2. Mary Kay lip gloss - color: cream and sugar


3. "Can you Keep a Secret" book by Sophie Kinsella


4. Twilight Series

5. I bought the Spanx knock off at Target - Love them!!!


6. Library - I love the library. Tons of books for free, and the kids love it!

7. Strawberries - they're like the perfect fruit aren't they!


8. Sundresses - they're comfy yet not frumpy



9. Kashi brand foods, they're all yummy and healthy, and my kids love their stuff!

10. These three faces...I think they're my fave!


My favorites!!! What are yours? Sign in with Mr. Linky!




Photobucket

What's in my Purse (or luggage is more like it)...

Okay this is the deal...I was tagged by Rhonda at Down Memory Lane and someone else (it has been so long I couldn't find the comment telling me) for this bag game about a week ago (I know, I'm ashamed!).

Anyhoo, I'm finally getting around to it. Sorry it took me so long, but better late than never I say!

Here are the rules for the tag:

1. Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying today - not last weekend when you and your hubby went out to that fabulous restaurant. No cheating!!!

2. Tell us how much it cost. This is a no-judgment zone -- there will be no ridiculing or eye rolling here. And, if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.

3. Now tag some fellow bloggers and link back to this post so people know why you are posting pictures of your bag.



Here she is...isn't she a beaut! My mother in-law bought her for me for Christmas. She (the purse not my mother-in-law) came from ALDO (which if you have been visiting long, you know is my favorite store). I think she cost around $35 or so (it was a gift so I can't be sure). I Love her though!!!

Here is what she is carrying for me today...

1) a cute hat to keep me warm
2) my journal/book of everything
3) a water
4) hand sanitizer from Bath and Body works (it's great stuff that is safe for kids)
5) a broken phone for Ruthie to play with
6) a cup to fill with water
7) torn out pages from a fashion magazine (for inspiration you know?!)
8) some unspent gift cards
9) one baby shoe (where's the other one?!)
10) Bible study for Sunday School
11) a spoon (I was eating yogurt okay!)
12) book- Shopaholic Ties the Knot...one of my favorite books!!!

I am supposed to tag some people...I tag:

Rachel at World of Wynn
Dawn at Three Clones and A Lady
Julie at Just What are those Woods up to?
Lori at Double Shot of Espresso
Malisa at God is Good all the Time
Kim at Truth is better than Fiction
Sarah at Work in Progress
and
The Rambling Gal

They say that you can tell a lot about a girl by the contents of her purse...I think mine says I'm a slob that needs to clean her purse out more...

What does yours say?

Photobucket

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A few of my favoite things...

Here are some of my favorite things... great hubby and 2 beautiful children...How blessed am I?!!!


How beautiful is he?...


I know right?

I think I might be one of the most blessed women ever!

I love you Nolan, Kane, and Ruthie!!!



Photobucket

How super special!!!

My friends Jen at Tatertots and Jello, Julie Isa at Tattered Threads and Willing Hands, and Christie at Pop Rocks for Breakfast are so sweet and they chose to award me with an award...this has made my day and I feel so special! Thank you so much ladies!!!

If you have never visited their blogs you should head on over and check them out...

Jen is so fashionable and sweet, with a loving heart and a beautiful family.

Christie loves her husband and daughter and is always so good to say praising words about both of them which is always so uplifting to me. She is a sweetie (and she shares my love for shoes)!

Julie Isa is a loving, kind lady that loves God and is always so good to leave kind comments for me. And I love her blog it makes me think of Home and Garden Magazine, which I love btw!



1. The rules of this award are:Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Heidi at Blue Eyed Blessings
Lori at A Double Shot of Espresso
Shawn at The Trotti Times
Lacy at A Sparkle and A Smile
Heidi at Sacrad and Profane
Rhonda at Down Memory Lane
Leah at Live Life Simply
Kim at Truth is Better than Fiction
Rambling Gal at Rambling Gal
Sarah at Work in Progress

These are all wonderful ladies that are funny, kind, loving, family oriented, and special in their own ways. I am so thankful that they have opened their lives up and allowed me to take a look in. There are days when reading these ladies' blogs make me feel like I am not alone in many of the things I go through as a mother, wife, and just a women. Thank you girls for all your words of encouragement and support!

You're all super special to me, and I am so excited to be a part of the Sisterhood!!!

Photobucket

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Friend Makin' Mondays and Tip Junkie...

I am so excited! I am being featured on Tip Junkie today!!! Can you believe it?! I feel like a star or something. I feel like I should thank my mom and dad and husband and all the wonderful people that have helped me to get to this moment..."Thank You!"

For all of you visiting from Tip Junkie: Welcome! You can go here and here for some of my favorites.

And for all of you that have been here before: Welcome back!

It's Friend Makin' Monday here at All that is Good.

Go here for more information and the rules.

Today we will be doing a game that I am calling the this OR that game.

Please pick the one that you prefer (it doesn't necessarily have to be what you have just what you would prefer):

1. jog or walk: walk
2. coffee or tea: tea (sweet)
3. pepsi or coca cola: Coke!!!
4. flats or heels: flats (I'm a mother, Hello!!!)
5. fries or onion rings: fries (with ranch)
6. cats or dogs: dogs
7. skim or whole: skim
8. small purses or large: large
9. van or suv: van
10. winter or summer: summer
11. 1 piece bathing suit or 2: 1!!!
12. sit down restaurant or fast food: sit down
13. McDonalds or Burger King: Give me a Whopper Baby!
14. White Gold or Yellow: White
15. Fish or Chicken: Fish
16. Edward or Jacob: Edward all the way!
17. Pizza or Burger: Both!
18. apple or orange: orange
19. Spend or save: Spend (however my husband is a saver!)
20. 1 story or 2 story house: 1 story

If you are joining in the fun all you have to do is copy and paste my 1-20 onto your site and then change my answers into your own (and of course the other things specified in the rules found here).

Have fun and I can't wait to get to know you all better!



Photobucket