popcorn popping on the apricot tree...

So yes Spring has popped up everywhere the last few days and we are loving it!

So much more outside fun with friend! Also some allergy issues but I will take that any day over winter! A little local honey to the rescue!

 

We are also loving homemade popcorn~ we have been popping it on the stove top to avoid the chemicals from microwave popcorn (read for some info)...

You can either just pop on the stove top or check out this awesome blog for some fun ways to pop in brown paper bags.

Here are some recipes we have used..we are loving it!

 found here

here..this is my favorite



Have you tried any fun popcorn recipes?

things..

It is so easy to live a life where things become a priority..I know I do it. I like new, shiny things and I have even allowed myself to think, " I NEED" or "I deserve" new, shiny things...but I don't.  This weekend the hubs and I took a long hard look at what we "need" and what are the extras in our life. We got rid of cable and and cut out some other unnecessary expenses and spent a long wonderful weekend at home with our beautiful family! These young family moments are difficult and challenging but end so quickly. Our goal is to cherish each other and focus on what matters before they grow up and leave. I actually wrote out some goals for myself .. in no particular order
1. bake more bread...is there anything better than homemade bread?? I think not
2. continue to make exercise a priority, both the hubs and I feel it's important to teach our kids by example the importance of a healthy lifestyle that includes working out..
3. continue to have daily family dinners that mainly consist of whole, unprocessed foods
4. continue to sell my amiably crafted accessories at Kitsch/etsy -until it affects my home life- right now its a good balance
5. make my kids and my amazing husband my priority...if I think about it nothing else really matters
6. SAVE MORE MONEY..SPEND LESS MONEY..
7. continue to enjoy the wonderful friendships I have...
8. go home to West Virginia more...
9. plan a family camping trip this spring
10. take a minute to let myself be content and happy with my accomplishments
11. go on more dates with my husband
12. watch more WVU sports-i know silly-but it is something the hubs and I used to do together and I miss that.
13. continue to develop goals.

Kitsch

So I have had been selling my necklaces and hair clips at a local, super trendy, all homemade store in Norfolk...Kitsch it is super cool to see my stuff in an actual store! I am loving it!! 

  It is so nice to have a creative outlet for myself! It has been challenging trying to juggle amiably Crafted with kids, work, husband and zumba! (yes zumba has become a priority) and I see myself having to let go of something sometime in the near future...but for now life is good!!

Pictures via Kitsch

I have also gotten my Etsy shop up and going! I have had 5 sales so far this month!

I've caught a bug...

Happiness is something that we choose and have to work to maintain.  I can easily find myself slipping into despair, jealously and discontent and then try and "make myself happy either with "things" or changing something major in my life RIGHT NOW.  It is these expeditious decisions that keep me in a place of constant unbalance, because I need a fix now.  It has always been hard for me to be patient and let things fall into place, the first step is admittance! Today i am happy.. and a huge part of that I have been surrounded by amazing women who make me happy and encourage and support me. Thank you! Their Happiness in contagious!! 

Red, white & blue - Presidents day

Do you celebrate Presidents Day? Eli's school did some fun crafts last weekend, and of course today is off of school and is enjoying the day with a school buddy! I thought I would share some fun red white and blue ideas!!

 wreath 

 pinwheels

GREAT colors

Loving this fun outfit

fabulous bedroom did you see that lantern?!! swoon

in our everyday lives...stop and take notice of the amazing world around us!

Happy Presidents Day!!!

100 days of school

 Today was Eli's 100th day of school!! So we had a party..of course. I was able to head up the party and then spend the morning with him in school. I love being able to spend time with him. So today I woke up early to finish the last touches for the party and I began to think of how much has changed in the last 100 days!

1. I am no longer home full time... LOVE my job, love the extra money...hate being away, hate mia in daycare...overall good change!

2. Mia is in daycare...HATE that..but i needed a break

3. We AREN:T moving..LOVE that we have a pretty good idea of what the next few years of our life will look like. 

4. Eli is 6!!! He is growing up so fast...love and hate that

5. Have developed an awesome group of girl friends .. love.. 

6. I have started hip-hop aerobics. hilarious!! 

Its just kinda fun to look back, even just 100 days ago, and see how much has changed!! It goes so quickly!!

Feeling the need to be a little edgy

As moms I think it is so easy to loose touch with fun, funky new trends...so easy...lately I just feel blah bland vanilla..in serious need of an update! So..I have taken inspiration from some of my more trend forward friends and have gotten a few fun accessories!! I may try some more fun colors ands accessories! and just HAVE FUN with my wardrobe!

Happy shopping!!