Recipe Binder

In case you haven't heard, my brother is getting married in just a couple of short weeks.  I've helped out some with making several different decorations.  I can't wait to reveal to you one set of decorations but I'm trying to keep it a secret until after the wedding so you'll still attend.
Last weekend, we had a bridal shower for the bride, Alicia.  Here is just the present I put together for her.  Well, I guess it is just the first part of her presents as I still have one for the bachelorette party plus all the decorations I made for them.  I knew I wanted to make a gift but I wanted to be something that she could actually use.  I don't know about you, but I find a lot of recipes on the internet.  I lot of times I just take the computer into the kitchen with me when I cook but sometimes I do print it out.  I found that the best way to keep track of the printouts is to put them in a page protectors in a binder.  The pager protectors are a must as I am always splattering batter and such on them.  This inspired me to make a binder for Alicia.

First, I created a personalized monogram.  Bride-to-bes love seeing their new name or initials written out.  Seriously.  The other day I filled in for a teacher at a home school co-op for the day and it was very strange to have the students all call me Mrs. as everybody else I know just calls me Lindsey. 

Next I glued taped said monogram onto pretty scrapbook paper and stuffed it into the front of a white notebook. 

I then created labels on pretty paper for all the sections such as "Breakfast" and "Main Dishes."  I also stuck a few of my recipes that I thought the bride would like onto pretty scrapbook paper.  

Finally, I threw it into a pretty container with ingredients to make some the recipes including sun-dried tomatoes, flour, sea salt, coffee, etc.  I did end up tying a pretty ribbon around it. 

Hopefully, she enjoys the gift and finds it useful.  I suppose that even if Alicia didn't want to use the binder for recipes, she could still use the ingredients and use the binder for something else.  

Pocket Change

Take one look at our tiny 3 bedroom, 1 bath, diy-sort-of-house and you'll quickly realize that we are not rich.  We're not as poor as church mice, but we might be the church mouse's cousins.  We have a budget that works well for us and I'm usually pretty good about following it.  I don't really view this as a hardship because I am a saver by nature.  However...(da, da, dum) the problem that I have right now is how to spend my extra money.  I was recently (in the past month and a 1/2) paid for doing two random jobs one of which was quite unexpected.  I offered to let the money go into the "pay off the house" fund but Aaron said that since I had earned the money, I could keep it to spend however I wanted.  Sounds easy, right?  Let's just say that I still have money that was given to me for Christmas 2 1/2 years ago sitting in my house.
At first, I thought I would buy myself a really nice pair of sandals.  I haven't bought any new ones since I got a pair for my wedding day.  I have really high arches and I wanted a pair of luxury sandals.  Unfortunately, I have looked and looked but I can't find just the right pair.  I don't care so much about what they look like, I just want comfort.  I did find a pair that I think I'm going to buy but they don't fit into the "luxury" category and are fairly inexpensive so I'll just take it out of our "clothing" fund.
Next I decided to spend the money buying us tickets to see the musical Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately, the show is on Sunday and we spend our Sunday worshiping, resting and not forcing other people to work for us.  So that one is out.
Next...well there isn't a next.  I have a couple of ideas but I also have commitment issues.  Maybe a nice seafood dinner when we're in Florida? Maybe stocking up on expensive, high-quality cuts of meat?  Maybe a shopping spree?  A whole closet full of craft supplies?  Fall decor?  A french horn for my french horn obsessed husband?

Hi, my name is Lindsey and I have issues spending money.  Please give me your suggestions and help me to keep this money from going stale.

Livin' in Rivercity

Oh, we got trouble!  Yup.  Right here.  Here is photographic evidence of why my house is always messy.  All this took place in the 10 minutes it took for this momma to take out a batch of muffins and get a new one in the oven.

First, she tried to help me fold the basket of clean laundry. 

I taught her that face.  So proud. 

Next she took out the hairbow so her hair could lay so attractively in front of her eyes. 

Oh, and don't forget the bag of potatoes.  Why yes, on the floor under the sink is the perfect place to store potatoes.  Oh and don't forget to mix some bath toys in with the potatoes. 

Good thing she is so cute.  I think we'll keep her.  

The Perfect Sunday Afternoon Craft

I was feeling a little down this Sunday afternoon.  I had just finished my book the night before, our invitees couldn't make it to lunch, and Aaron had a hundred things he could think of to do, but I had nothing.  I hate nothing.  Nothing is my arch-nemesis.  Ever since becoming a stay-at-home mom, I have fought against nothing. Lately, I've been doing pretty darn well in my fight...except on Sunday.
Then I remembered having seen someone pin this adorable little printable that was made to be colored.  Basically, it was just a giant coloring page for adults.
Check it out:

Ain't it purty?  You can download it here. 

So I printed it off in a jiffy and whipped out my watercolors.  I had myself a delightful time wearing my favorite sweater, drinking a delightful cup of coffee, and watercoloring.  It was so easy to make.  I'm horrible at drawing and painting but this I could do.  Ok, so mine doesn't look quite as nice as the picture but I think I should get an A for effort.  I chose to use fall colors as I have no autumnal decor.  

Stay tuned for future projects.  As of right now, I have so many fun projects to work on that I'm having to force myself to take breaks in order to wash the dishes or make dinner.  

Quilts

Little known secret: I love quilts.  It was so little known that not even Aaron knew of my love for quilts.  I will never be a real quilter.  It takes too much time and too much precision.  I do, however, have the greatest admiration for quilters.  I have been wanting to get a quilt but they are just so darn expensive especially the nicer ones.
This June, I got to visit my Grandma.  I had not seen her for about 3 years and I hadn't been to her house in probably about 4-5 years.  My Grandma has a house...well she has two houses...and an apartment.  She has one house that is nearly empty and she wants to sell, one house that she currently lives in, and she just started renting an apartment at a senior living complex that she hopes to move into as the weather gets colder.
My mom and I helped my Grandma go through bunches of stuff from her attic.  Some of it was really, really old.  There was the oddest assortment of items including old, adorable vials of perfume, watches, purses, wigs, fabric, clothes, tablecloths, antique glass dishes, a barely used serger, etc.
All at once, I stumbled upon the find of a century: A pinwheel blue and white quilt.  It was a little stained on one edge but it was so beautiful.  I excitedly asked my Grandma if I could have it (she was giving away just about everything in the attic) and she responded that I could.  It was mine!  My precious. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, I saw my aunt's name written on a piece of paper with the quilt.  I couldn't steal a quilt from my aunt even though my Grandma was more than willing to give it to me.  Fortunately for me, I did find a box with three more quilts: One finished but stained and ripped quilt, one nearly finished, and one quilt top.  My Grandma isn't sure but she thinks that the quilts were made by my great-grandma as they were in her belongings and she was  a quilter.
I didn't care much for the quilt top and it was going to be a lot of work so I left that one.  I did take the other two though.

I had to repair several missing squares and wash it.  The stains and musty smell came out!  

This one is larger but, as you can see, it needs to be bound. I'm saving it for cooler weather.  Hopefully, I be inspired to finish the binding on it when I can actually use it as I work on it. 

Here it is on our bed just for looks.   

L to R: Grandma, Mama, Baby, and Nana.  

Finding these quilts was like finding gold!  I'm so excited to use them forever.  Hopefully they will never fall apart.  

September Breakfast

I love eating on our deck.  If only the 1/2 and 1/2 didn't go bad a month before the expiration date. Fluffy pancakes with chocolate chips and coconut covered with homemade yogurt and a side of fresh nectarine. 

I love my new Bible that Aaron got me.  He even picked out the design himself which is fabulous. I'm also enjoying reading the ESV.  I like the NKJV but it is interesting to read a different translation as it makes new things stand out.  

My lovely little breakfast companion stuffing herself. I took some better pictures but this cracked me up so much.