Insta Friday

The other week I made Buckeyes for my husband to to have while watching the Ohio State game.  Please forgive the holes in the center.

My mom came the other weekend and we went shopping for Madison's birthday - Here is Madison with all of her bags.

A TO DO list Madison made for me the other week...

I was so excited to pick up this pumpkin bar mix... but then I softened the butter instead of melting it and then cooked it for too long.  They weren't very good.



Portraits I had taken of Madison



On Tuesday I was off.  My husband stayed home too and we went to Hobby Lobby, out to lunch, and to Trader Joes.

Apparently at the new pediatrician's office if you have a cold or cough you have to wear a mask when you walk in the door... Madison happily obliged.



While at Trader Joes I stocked up on some seasonal pumpkin items.



 

 

Insta Friday

I am loving the cooler weather.  I hate to bake in the summer because we do not have central air and it is miserable being in the kitchen.  I made up for it last week.  I made apple crisp ala mode, cookie butter cookies {the amazing recipe for these are coming soon}, and pumpkin cheesecake muffins.

Here is a not so great photo of Maddie (she is the one in the back) cheering last weekend.  I am shocked each week at the lack of parents in the stands supporting their kids.  Shocked.

 

 

Madison's 13th birthday is less than a month away.  I ordered these labels for 50% off from Tiny Prints.  I am going to use them to package favors for her party.  I am also working on invitations I am making.  We are doing a Paint Your Own Canvas party for Maddie and 7 friends at our house.  I am so glad I convinced her chevron was the way to go.

 

 

I am still loving the chalkboard display as you enter our kitchen as well as everyone adding the things they are thankful for.   I am pretty sure my husband earned himself some back scratching the evening after he shared this gem.

 

 

 

I am linking up with -  



Insta-Friday - Blogging from the car version

We are currently in New Jersey on our way to Virginia Beach for a night. We are all looking forward to catching up with friends we left behind when we moved exactly a year ago. I'm also looking forward to a hair appointment tomorrow morning with my favorite hairdresser. We've been in Rhode Island for a year and it's been that long since I've had a haircut. On Saturday we will continue on to Duck, NC for a week at the beach with a group of 21! My parents and their best friends rented a beach house. Together there are 6 adult children, 4 spouses, and 7 grandchildren ages 13 months - 12 years. It should be a fun and crazy week.

Here are some of my Instagrams from the week- minus captions for now since I'm car blogging.

Insta Friday

Some of my Instagram photos from the week -

I have been working on some small little canvas paintings for our bedroom



These are flowers that Madison picked from our yard and arranged.



My two new Pandora charms for our wedding anniversary this past week.

Anniversary flowers from my husband.

A yummy spicy turkey taco salad I made last night for dinner.  Instead of using tortilla chips I topped them with little tri-color tortilla strips.  It added the perfect bit of crunch.

Our anniversary dessert - we brought two home - one for me and one for my sister-in-law who watched Madison when we went out.  This was the Reeses's peanut butter chocolate cake cheesecake from The Cheescake factory.. it was so rich, but oh so good.

I ordered a bunch of my Instagram prints from Postal Pix.  I love this company - affordable prices and fast shipping.

Last weekend we went to a cookout at my aunt's house. This is Madison and my cousin's daughter, Natalie.


I am linking up to Insta Friday.

Miscellany Monday

I am linking up at lowercase letters for Miscellany Monday.

{1} I added the cutest new custom Instagram magnets to my etsy shop this week.  You can use coupon code, FREESHIP to get free shipping off of any order from now until the end of June.   If you have your own blog and would love a free magnet to blog about and a chance to offer a chance for one of your readers to receive 2 free magnets,  send me an email at instamagnet {at} gmail.com.

 

{2} I took a three day weekend (minus a thirty minute team meeting this morning) from work and it was much needed and fabulous.

{3} We had a busy, fun, and productive weekend. Saturday we went to Connecticut where we went outlet shopping, mall shopping, Home Goods shopping, and out to lunch. Sunday I did stuff around the house while Chris and Maddie went hiking and then we grilled out, went to Target, and then watched a movie. Today we CLEANED like crazy people and I know have a bag of clothes to donate to my cousin's daughter and two bags of assorted clothes I need to find some local organization to donate to. I also cleaned out our washer and did laundry; we went out to dinner, and went grocery shopping.

{4} Saturday night I ordered new bedding. I cannot wait for it to arrive. We went with a new duvet, duvet cover, fitted sheet (we don't use a top one) and pillow cases. I googled a promotion code and ended up getting 20% off. My goal this week is to work on a piece of art which will go over our bed once our new bedding arrives.

Source: thecompanystore.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Pinterest Inspired Clothespin Frame

This lovely Pinterest pin inspired me to create my own version to add to my gallery wall in the hall.

Source: pinkpaislee.com via Maxine on Pinterest

This is the one I created.  I used an old frame, some cute little clothespins I found in the $1.50 bin at Michaels, some twine, and some Instagram photos I had printed through Postal Pics.   I actually wrapped the twine around the brads in the back of the frame and then added a little glue to secure them.  I think it probably could use a few more photos, but overall I love how easy it was to do and how it looks.

I am linking up to Shine on Friday.

Photo Strip Canvas - The Great Pinterest Challenge

Here is my photo strip canvas.  This was super simple to make.  I used a 4x12 canvas, black paint, Mod Podge, and three photos I took with Instagram and had printed with the PostalPix app.  First I painted the canvas black.  Then I trimmed my photos.  I used Mod Podge to adhear them to the canvas.  Then I added another layer of Mod Podge.  It is now hanging in our entry way next to our closet.  I have another one in the works for my mother.  She currently has three grandchildren, so I am making one with a photo of each of them.

I got my pinspiration from here -

Source: manditremayne.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I am entering the Great Pinterest challenge {the button wouldn't post properly}
 

February Photo Challenge - Instagram

I participated in this February photo challenge. I have already started the March one.  I will say that some days I forgot to do it or just didn't do it, and had to play a bit of catch up.   I just picked some to share below.  I am mom2maddie99 on Instagram if you would like to follow my feed.