1+1+1+1=4

Trish from Daisy's and Dot's tagged me and I needed a quickie blog post today. :)

4 Jobs I have had:

1. Marina worker-painted boat bottoms, changed oil in boats, dangled by my ankles into the guts of huge yachts to fix their engine parts. LOVED this job!!
2. Waitress at the same marina...LOVED this job too but could never do it again...easily took home $200-$300 in tips a night on the weekends...other waitresses took home $75-$100...so we can say I have mad waitressing skills. :)
3. Florist. LOVED...got to take home all of the "old" flowers. :)
4. Reference library worker. During college this was my on campus job...I had to work 9 hours a week but there was only like 45 minutes of work to do so I read A LOT of reference material.

4 Movies I have watched more than once:

1. Gone With the Wind. LOVE.
2. My Fair Lady. LOVE.
3. Little Women. LOVE.
4. Sense and Sensibility. LOVE.

4 TV Shows I cannot miss:

1. LOST- Thankful I have Doug to watch with otherwise I would be lost.
2. The Office-Would Jim just propose already!!
3. House
4. Prison Break

4 People who email me regularly:

1. April
2. Carolyn (my sister in law)
3. Courtney
4. Holly

4 Places I have been:

1. Romania-missions trip
2. Coasta Rica-Missions trip
3. Holland-LOVEd everything but Amsterdam
4. Sunset Beach-My Favorite Beach of ALL time. :)

4 Favorite foods:

1. Apple pie and vanilla ice cream
2. Cake batter ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and oreos
3. Fried Chicken and Mashed potatoes
4. Breakfast for dinner!!

4 Places I would like to visit:

1. Norway
2. The West Coast
3. Someplace tropical
4. Ireland

4 Things I am looking forward to this year:

1. Summer fun!
2. Moses turning TWO!!
3. Spending time with my two men! Always my favorite!
4. Fall!

4 People I am tagging:

1. Michelle
2. Pam
3. Courtney (now you have something to start with!)
4. Chris

Do you feel like you know me better now? :)

The next time you see me I may be bald.

Because Moses is about two minutes from making me pull my hair out! He has gone from clingy to stinker this weekend...wants nothing to do with me and will not let go of Doug. We have had plenty of time-outs this weekend...but I am the one who needs a break! See that little band-aid on his noggin? That is what we will call "icing on the cake"...mid-fit he fell and landed head first onto the corner of an open drawer. As you can see from the photo above, it wasn't long until it was back to business as usual for Moses...here he is receiving calls on the DVD remote. Look how sad. :( This is the worst wound he has had so far in his short little life. Hopefully he will leave a band-aid on...we didn't feel the need to take him to the ER. I am very anti-ER. I am also a non-worrier but I do worry that I don't worry enough. Does that make sense to anyone? I think it means that there are probably things I should worry about but don't but I don't have the ability to know if I should worry or not...hmmm...I'll just stop. Today marks the beginning of Doug's birthday week! This is one of our favorite family traditions...gifts is high on both of our love languages so...we do birthdays big. You are really king or queen for the week...including choosing when your week begins...it can be the week leading up to your birthday, the week following or you can have your birthday plop in the middle. You get to choose the menu, mostly and best of all you get a present each and every day! Some are small gifts some are big but you get to choose one every day! :) Happy birthday week honey!!! We can't wait to do this with Moses!Amy Butler has a new line out at Micheal's...I tried to restrain myself and only came home with three things...if you know me that is pretty darn good!
To make up for his ridiculous behavior I made him wash my car...don't forget the tires Moses!

Happy Friday!!

Hello friends! Happy Friday to you all!! I won't lie...today has been a rough day...Moses is clingy, my head is pounding but the shop....I mean show must go on. Still working hard to catch up to myself and I am hoping that this weekend will do it for me. Doug is off and we are planning to do some YARD-SALE-ING tomorrow morning!! I love weekends when Doug is off. :)
Like I said, Moses has been super clingy today but when I offered him my jar of buttons to play with he jumped out of my arms...and quietly spent the next 30-40 minutes taking them out of one container and putting them into another...ahhhhhhhh.....
The mailman brought me yummy things today...these sweet little dishes from my favorite Etsy potter, lgbrinkley...she is SO sweet...if you haven't gotten a treat from her yet you are seriously missing out!

And yes, my name is Crystal and I am addicted to Julie's signs!! But LOOK at this one! I cannot wait to celebrate each and every event with this CUTE sign!! The bottom part is a chalkboard so you can celebrate everything from birthdays to a lost tooth, to potty training victories to Fridays! You should go get one while you can...I would never mislead you. :)

And last but not least...here is another of my all time favorite recipes. Oven fried chicken...this is not the recipe in its original form because I have changed it to make it a little better. The trick is to 1) spray your pan (I use a glass pan) or use that non-stick foil 2) DO NOT FLIP the chicken over during cooking 3) spray the top of the chicken, once it is in the pan, with PAM.

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The BEST Oven Fried Chicken

1/3 cup flour

1 tsp. salt

Dash of pepper

Package of Chicken tenders

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 Tbsp. water

1/4 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/2 cup bread crumbs (I like the Italian Flavor or you can add some Italian blend seasoning)

2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Mix flour and seasonings in shallow dish. Add chicken; toss to coat. Beat egg and water in separate shallow dish. Mix cheese and breadcrumbs in third shallow dish.

DIP chicken in egg mixture, then in cheese mixture, turning over to evenly coat both sides. Place in 13x9-inch baking dish; spray chicken with cooking spray.

BAKE 1 hour or until chicken is cooked through (180°F).

How to make the CUTEST Mother's day gift ever....

What mother or grandmother wouldn't love to get something this precious? A cute 3D photo of their favorite grandchild...The best part is that it is inexpensive AND easy to do! Wanna know how?
First take some photo's of your kids holding something like they would a flower-like a pencil or crayon...nothing too large. I gave Moses one of my button flowers and told him to smell it (one of the few things he will do on command---the boy will smell anything). I couldn't believe how lucky I was to get this face!! If you have an older child you can get them to show you the "flower" this makes a cute photo too...keep clicking until you get one that will work...
Then I took an exacto knife and cut slits along the top edge of his hand (where it looks like the flower going into his hand) and again at the bottom. Then you just slip an artificial flower into the slits...this photo is a 4 by 6 so I used a small flower but you can use any flower you want...especially if you do an 8 by 10. When you put the photo into the frame take the glass out and put it in behind the photo or if you are mailing it, use cardboard to provide support instead of glass. Ta da!!! Cuteness you can do!! Make sure you let me know if you do this project...I wanna see!!! :) Beautiful spring day here today...lovely as lovely can be! Have a beautiful day you lovely readers!

Only delicious things...

Delicious things happening here folks...I have been working like a crazy person to just get caught up on orders and the like...not that I am AT ALL complaining. I am almost there...I can see the light. :) I did finish a HUGE order last night while watching American Idol (uhhh...Paula? What is up with her and giving critiques on songs NOT sung yet?) Anywho...I did get these yummy pears made this morning...mmmmm....
Do you need a delicious new bag? Well, here it is! This has to be one of my favorites to date...made with delish Amy Butler fabric and lined with a chocolate brown...
And here is another order that I got finished this morning! Say hello to this custom Moose! isn't he adorable...all dressed up in his Amy Butler outfit! He will be going to live in a sweet little nursery.

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And you may have noticed our new friend to the left of this column. I refer to this friend as milk money...as that may be the equivalent of what it provides each month but who can't use free milk right?

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And to top off the delicious things...here is one of my ALL TIME favorite desserts! Super easy to make and YUMMMY!!!

Cool Lime Napoleons
Featuring tender pastry squares topped with colorful fruit, the "Napoleon" is a classic technique you won't soon forget.

1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
3 kiwi, peeled and sliced
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained and patted dry
2 large limes or lime juice
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds, finely chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Lightly sprinkle pan with flour. Unroll crescent dough across length of pan; pinch seams to seal. Lightly sprinkle dough with flour. Using roller, roll dough evenly to cover bottom of pan. Prick dough using pastry tool (aka fork). Bake 12-15 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes on rack. Carefully remove pastry from pan to cooling rack; cool completely.

2. Transfer pastry to cutting board. Using pizza cutter, cut pastry crosswise into six rows and lengthwise into four rows to make twenty-four 2 1/2-inch squares.

3. Add 2 tablespoons lime juice. In bowl, combine whipped topping, powdered sugar, lime juice; mix until smooth and slightly thickened. Place in pastry bag or baggie with corner snipped, place a dollop on each pastry square.

4. Slice kiwi. Place one kiwi slice and one orange segment onto each pastry square.

5. Stuff face. YUM!

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And for those who asked...my love language is gifts and words of affirmation. :)

Yay! A finished project!!!

Just a quick post today...Doug is off so we are trying to get a lot done...I just couldn't wait to share these fun frames with you!! How cute did these turn out??!! I LOVE them! I also finished a couple of other lingering projects as well...now I am off to plant some flowers in my garden!
Hope you are enjoying your day!! Go hug your honey!!

rainy day post...

Hello friends! Where did the weekend go? I can hardly believe that it is Monday already...always feels that way on the weekends that Doug is not off...I think I got a lot done this weekend...not really sure where my time went...I am still trying to catch up to myself from vacation and I am getting there...slowly but surely (I think). I did get twelve of these towels done for a custom order this weekend...and got some cards made for some other custom orders that I have...Need a pretty frame? They will be available soon in the shop...with rows of houses as far as the eye can see....I am also working on a cute trinket box...needed some non-sewing projects to work on a little...This goody arrived in the mail for me today...I LOVE it!!! Thank you so much you sweet Julie!! :) LOVE this girl and her signs...you should go get one...you will love it too!
Also got some order goodies from Janesays...they are perched in the soon to be cute trinket box...

Do you know what your Love Language is? Love language is the way that you show and feel love...you can go here to find out. Learning AND utilizing this tool changed my life in such a positive way years ago that I thought I would share it...it helps you to learn how to show others (friends, spouse, children, etc) love in a way that is relevant and real to them...I would love to hear what you learned...

Soaking up my son...

I often wonder if other mothers love their children as much as I love mine. I wonder if other mothers wonder this too. I think I wonder this a lot partly because I am a mom and partly because of my history...my degree is in social work with an emphasis in child welfare.

Up to the day I had Moses I worked as a case manager with 25-30 kids on my caseload and I know that those kids were not as loved as my son. It saddens me just to type that but I know it to be true...most social workers could tell you this, though it is not true of all those in need of a social worker but for the children I worked with...And it is not that the moms didn't love their children at all because I am sure they did...to the point just before it became inconvenient to them. I think to show true love, of any kind, you must go beyond yourself and what is convenient for you to do. Do you know what I mean? The mothers I worked with would take care of the very, very, very basic needs (bathing is not considered basic) but anything that took away from "their" time was too much to ask. With many of my kids it got to the point that I would just focus on one thing with them...to be the ONE person in their life to do what I said I would do, show up when I say I will and KEEP the promises I made to them. 95% of my kids had nothing else like me in their lives. I loved to bring them back to my office and indulge them...with attention, with my time, with concern and care, with no distractions. They loved it. My degree and that job has made me a better mother because I have seen first hand how easy it is to break a creature as fragile as a child.
At least once a day I find myself wondering how anyone could receive such a precious gift as a child and not cherish it always! Not only is it amazing to me that I get to be Moses' mom, that GOD choose me to do that but that it gives me a tiny glimpse of how much God loves me. Because if I love Moses SO much, to the point of random tears, swelling pride and joy, infatuation and utmost devotion then how much more does my Father in Heaven love me? It overwhelms me to think about it. And makes me feel more love at once and from more directions than I have ever deserved or earned.
Each and every day is a precious gift with this wonderful boy and I pray that I daily remember that and never take a moment for granted. I kiss him, hug him, hold him, love him and tell him I love him at every chance I can... This boy will never have a day where he is not told he is loved and treasured.

What is something that motherhood has showed you?

The dirty underbelly of LBF.

Do you have nicknames for your children? Yes, I said nicknameS because I am hoping that I am not the only one who has roughly 500 nicknames for my son...I was thinking about it today and decided that I was amazed that he even knows which is his real name...here are a few of my most used...

Diesel
Booga
Booga baby
Mojo
M-Diesel
Mighty Mo
Bubba (for the life of me I cannot make myself STOP using this one)
Stinky Binky
Stinker Binker
Motis
Mosel
Suga Booga (serioulsy...what is my problem)
I also may or may not have made up a song about him going disco dancing with his ladies. Do you make up songs about your children? Let's hear some of your best nicknames...

Also, would it be socially acceptable for me to choke my neighbor for thinking it is OK to drive his seven(or so) year old daughter around the block on his motorcycle....without a helmet on? We live on a street that cars come and go on a lot...and they don't drive all that slow. It makes me crazy when I see it...like I want to run out into the street and shake my fist at him...dummy.

I would also love it if my other neighbor would cut their grass already. We have cut ours three times already and they have yet to touch theirs...it's over a foot tall if not more in some places. I can't say that I am looking forward to their cutting method however...who uses a weed-whacker to cut an ENTIRE lawn you ask...welp my neighbors do...more than one house on the block actually...don't even get me started on what that noise will do to your brain if you have to listen to it for an hour and a half.

And since I am on the subject of neighbors...what in the world must I do to get my neighbor to STOP letting her weenie dog use my lawn as a potty??!?! I thought it was common curtesy in the dog world to not let dogs do this but lo and behold...lots of mornings when I go to open my curtains in my living room there she is with the flipping dog...LOOKING RIGHT AT ME!!

Do you have annoying neighbor things that you simply must get off of your chest? Well here is your chance! :) Comment away my friends...
Despite all that, it is a pretty happy and beautiful day here in good ol' Virginia! We have actually skipped over spring and pretty much moved into summer...ahhh...I love the sun! Have a good weekend!

My Digits.

one.

two.

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four.

five.

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seven.

eight.

nine.

ten.

BOGO Sale in the shop! Go HERE for details! Happy Friday!

As promised...

A creative post but first...do you SEE how money it is here today!!?? Look how much spring we have!!
My pretty, pretty Dogwood tree. :) So happy!
Here is one of my latest projects...per a request and idea from my sister in law...bibs...giant ones. Two things annoy me about 90% of the bibs we have, they are either too short or the neck is tiny...these bibs solve both of those problems! Made from a hand towel, they are super absorbant, cute and sweet to boot. :) Is this what you were thinking Alli?
Cute ribbon tie in the back...
Birdy applique.
Here is what 50 4th of July invites look like unassembled...I am trying to do like five a day so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. :)
And here begins the goods I got in NJ...all this ribbon for $2!!!
Cute new papers...
Fun ribbon from my other SIL...she got it from her BigLots!!! One of my favorite brands...FYI CC...I went to my BL and it was ggggghhhhhheeeetooooooOO!
More fun supplies...
These new stamps define fun!
LOVE these too! Cute proverbs for life....or cards!

And the winner of the $25 store credit, chosen at random, is Allikaye's mama!!

Stay tuned for another fun giveaway coming soon!!!

Lanny-- You can get those letters HERE. :)

I am working hard to get through all of the comments about linking to me...but I am still playing vacation catch-up! Thanks to all who let me know!! I will stop by soon! :)