The Vote is IN... Favorite Things SWAP coming soon!!

Hi girls! Many of you voted on the SWAP I should host next, the most votes went to the "My Favorite Things" Swap! I have participated in these and its tons of fun; I also made a wonderful friend who was my swap partner too:)

For this type of swap, you put together a package for your partner of things YOU love... YOUR favorites! Its fun to see what everyone gets/gives. It can be fave lotions, candles, snacks, magazines, craft materials, etc. I think we will set a spending limit of $20-$30.

I am thinking of doing this swap in August- maybe mid-month? I need to get through the next 4 weeks of my summer classes, our road trip to Ohio and my son's 8th birthday before I "bite off more than I can chew!"

Please let me know if you'd like to participate in this swap by leaving me a comment. If you change your mind later that's fine. I just want an idea of who would like to join in. I'll get together a cute button soon to for this!!

Thanks bunches:)

Noelle ♥

Tag! I'm it!

Hi girls,

What a MONDAY! I went to the dr., then the bridal shop to see my veil that came in, the post office, home then back to the bridal shop with my mom so she could get measured then off to class. The prof let us out an hour early so I thought I'd blog! Should be doing homework, right?
A new blog friend, GENA tagged me to answer some questions... here are the rules and my answers!!!

The rules:
1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.

2. Tag other people.

What is your current obsession?
Tryin to lose more weight:)

What are you wearing today?
Black bermuda shorts, a cute gray v-neck top with a pink cami under and my black flip flops with sequins on them!

What’s for dinner? Dunno, we are going to a graduation party; hopefully they have something healthy for me there!

What would you eat for your last meal? Foods I CANNOT have: a BIG MAC, a big fry and a COKE... maybe some ICE CREAM TOO! Can you tell I am hungry? LOL

What relaxes you the most? Time alone in the morning- to check email, get a coffee, exercise or go tanning- "me time".

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
A cozy bed in Paris France where I could sleep uninterrupted!

Which language do you want to learn?
I took 3 years of French in high school and loved it; I'd like to be fluent in it.

What do you love most about where you currently live?
My quiet backyard where I see lots of trees and hear lots of birds!

What style is your current home decorated in? Country "cute"- loves plaids, florals, semi-girly things.

If you were a time traveler what era would you live in? The 70's- I'd love to DISCO!

What is your favorite color? Aqua, right now. I also love brown with it.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
My Torrid jeans that make my butt look nice and small but I need to lose more of this belly so they fit GOOD again!!

What were you doing ten years ago? I was 20 years old, just began dating my hubby to be, partying and working.

Describe your personal style? Comfy and cute:)

If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on?
I'd pay off my wedding gown!!

What are you going to do after this? Going home to do some ironing then going to a grad. party.

What are your favorite films? I like romantic chick flicks... The Notebook is my fave

Your favorite books?
I admit it, I really don't read for enjoyment... I read books to my kids, textbooks for school and magazines for my own quick entertainment. Sad, huh?

Do you collect anything?
I collect gingerbread ANYTHING, tea cups/pots ... ?

What makes you follow a blog?
What the person posts about- their life, their stories, what they like to do, if they are friendly...

What was the most enjoyable thing you did today? I went to the dr. and they told me that I am doing a great job with following my "diet" plan and weight loss. I am also being put on a drug to help me lose more weight and it will help balance my insulin levels.

Ann's Question:What makes you comment on a blog? If I really like what the person has shown or said. I love to make new friends!

Amy's Question:What is your favorite thing to do when you have some free time? Shopping, spending time with friends, watching a movie, treasure hunting at GW.

Anissa's Question:As you know I homeschool -- If you could would you? Already do?Do you agree with homeschooling? I think I might like to; I don't feel I know ENOUGH to do it. I struggle with math and science quite a bit. I don't think there is anything wrong with home-schooling, as long as a child isn't completely sheltered from the real life experiences around them.

Tonya's question:What is a talent you wished you had?
I wish I could sing! I love to sing but sound TERRIBLE!

Gena's question:As you may know, I am all about "Serene Moments", so what is your "Serene Moment"? My "serene" moments were the days my children were born; I'm referring to the first time I saw them and held them in my arms... time just stopped for me and I was absorbed in the beauty of the moment. All the pain I suffered during labor went completely away and I was filled with more JOY than I have ever felt at any other time in my life!

MY question:
If you could visit heaven, who would be the ONE person you would want to see, and why?
My ANSWER: My grandmother... I miss her SO much- I'd want to hear her say if she is proud of me as a mother and I would want to know what she thinks of my youngest son, who she has never met. I would also tell her how losing her has completely changed my life and HOW much I wish I could have her back here with me EACH DAY!


Now, I am tagging:

Lori (my mom) from Pink Faded Roses

Brenda from Country Romance from the Heart

Vickie from Vickie's Scrapbooking and Tidbits

Thanks for reading this LOOOOONG post; I'll be back Wednesday for Wordless Wednesday!!!

Noelle ♥

SCRAPBOOK SUNDAY: Coolin' Off!

Hi there! Sorry I am late posting today, I went to the gym this morning and they made me do 40 minutes of cardio plus my workout; I am IN PAIN! My lil Gage is running a fever and not feeling well; so that blows our plans for going to the festival today:(

It is HOT here in Indiana so I am going to cool us off a bit today by showing some SNOW pics! Believe me, I am NOT wanting any snow, any time soon-
especially NOT till after our November 14th wedding!

For this layout I used some shimmery stickers that I of course had from CM; if you click the pick to enlarge you probably can see what I am talking about better!

I used a variety of shapes to crop my photos; I had a lot of pics to use for this layout so it was important to get rid of any "excess" unimportant things in the photos.

My Gavin loves to sled down our driveway SO much in the winter! I swear he'd stay out there till he got frost bite; he has so much fun!
Look at how rosy his cheeks
are in the bottom right pic:)

I especially loved this journal box because it was on a shimmery gray paper with pretty snowflakes and scrolls on it. I love to journal on my pages to "tell the story"; BUT... I NEED to do it on lines, otherwise I don't like how my writing looks!

Next week Sunday, I will be showing some 4th of July/Patriotic page embellishments that you can make to add to your pages for the upcoming holiday!

Check out these gals to see their Scrapbook Sunday posts too...

HOLLY ............ and............ VICKIE

Hugs,
Noelle ♥

Elephant Ears!

Hi girls! My sweet Aussie friend Kylie wanted to know "What the heck an elephant ear is?"! Elephant ears are a yummy doughy dessert treat that we in the USA (other countries too?) have at our big summer fairs and festivals! It is deep fried and covered in a cinnamon/sugar mixture!
They are called elephant ears because they resemble the big and floppy size of a REAL elephants ear! Poor Kylie, I hope you didn't think that we crazy Americans deep fry REAL elephants ears for a snack, LOL!! I guess we do some strange things here in our country!! hahaha:)

Kylie and I were partners for our little ones in an Easter Swap this past spring. She taught me that there are NO chocolate bunnies in Australia at Easter time, but they have chocolate Bilby's; which are a desert dwelling marsupial that is an endangered species in Australia! I never knew about Bilby's till she told me! So Kylie and I teach each other lots of new things!! She even sent one to Gage and it was yummy!! Click HERE to read about them:)

I thought I'd share a recipe I found for Elephant Ears with you! They are a summer fave of mine:) Maybe Kylie will decide to fry up some elephant ears for some of her friends too!

Have a great Saturday!
Noelle ♥

ELEPHANT EARS

1/4 c. butter 1 c. all-purpose flour 2 tbsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/3 c. milk 3 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. ground cinnamon Heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease cookie sheet with shortening. Heat butter until melted; set aside. Stir flour, 2 tbsp. sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir in milk and 3 tbsp. of the melted butter until dough forms. Sprinkle a surface lightly with flour, turn dough onto surface. Knead 10 times. Roll dough with a rolling pin or pan with hands into a rectangle, 9x5 inches. Brush with remaining butter using a pastry brush; sprinkle with mixture of 3 tbsp. sugar and the cinnamon. Roll dough up tightly, beginning at narrow end. Pinch edge of dough, roll into seal. Cut into 4 equal pieces with a sharp knife. Place cut sides up on cookie sheet; pat each into a 6 inch circle. Sprinkle with more sugar. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet with a spatula. Let cool on wire rack. Makes 4 elephant ears.

Blah, blah blog!

What a cute table display for the 4th!!

Hi girls! I don't have much to blab about today other than I am SO annoyed with finding a cute patriotic header for my page. I love the new layout and found a cute header, but for some reason its WAY too small when I put it in the header box! Anyone, help?

We hit up the pool again today and had a nice time!

I joined a gym today and worked out; very proud of myself and DISGUSTED with my body fat percentage! It was 12% over where I should be; needless to say- I NEED to exercise more!

Tomorrow I get to "work" with my oldest son at his school's annual festival! We get to run the game for the 2nd grade class for an hour in half; then we'll be splitting a yummy elephant ear!
I plan to take the boys back to the fair on Sunday to do the rides, games, etc. My little one is tall enough now to go on the kiddie rides, I think he'll have a blast!

What are your weekend plans?

Noelle ♥

Going Banana's and a Giveaway WIN!

I am SO excited! Last night I got tickets for us to take the boys to see The Wiggles Go Bananas LIVE TOUR in Indianapolis in August!! I LOVE the Wiggles and so do my boys;) The little one calls them the "Goo-Gees"! We are trying to keep it a secret from them so they will be SUPER surprised! We also plan to stay a day or two in Indy to see the awesome zoo too!

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I recently won a pretty giveaway from my new friend Melinda!
I won these adorable statues and...

... this vintage hankie set! Woo-hoo!

Can you believe that its almost July? We are 7 months into the year already; time is FLYING!
What are your summer plans? Taking any day trips or vacations?

I am taking the boys to Toledo Zoo in Ohio in July to meet my bloggy girlfriend Stacy! I can't wait to see her; she has 2 little boys as well. The boys and I will stay over night too; cause its a 2 1/2 hour drive for us to get there! I am excited for a one-on-one bonding day with them!

I am also planning to meet up with another dear blog friend, Katie somewhere in Michigan and her cute little daughter:)

I think its gonna be a pretty fun summer!

Noelle ♥

Sweet Tooth ♥

Hey girls! I got a sweet tooth tonite that I can't do ANYTHING about!! Darn! I have to fast for 12 hours till tomorrow morning to have some bloodwork done:(

I came across these fun 4th of July recipes and thought I'd share them with you!

Has anyone seen these red, white and blue M&M's anywhere? I have been looking at stores around here and have had NO luck finding them!!!

This is my 276th post; only 24 more to go till my BEACHY themed giveaway!! YAY!

Noelle ♥

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Red, White and Blue Candy-Topped Brownies

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Colored candy-coated chocolate candies are the simple sprinkle that turns no-fail brownies into celebration brownies. Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 1 hour 40 min Makes: 24 brownies

1	box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 1/2	cups red, white and blue candy-coated chocolate candies

	Print these coupons...
	About Concordance™

1.	Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening.
2.	In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 15 minutes.
3.	Sprinkle candies over partially baked brownie. Bake 13 to 15 minutes longer or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions on brownie mix box for making batter; bake as directed in steps 2 and 3.

Special Touch

Cut brownies into triangles for a celebration touch.

Nutrition Information:

1 Brownie: Calories 200 (Calories from Fat 70); Total Fat 7g (Saturated Fat 2 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 20mg; Sodium 100mg; Total Carbohydrate 31g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 23g); Protein 2g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 0%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 0%; Iron 6% Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Brownie 'n Berries Dessert Pizza

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Want to wow a chocolate-craving crowd? Make a sweet dessert pizza topped with a creamy layer and tart berries. Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 2 hours 50 min Makes: 16 servings

1	box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1	package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/3	cup sugar
1/2	teaspoon vanilla
2	cups sliced fresh strawberries
1	cup fresh blueberries
1	cup fresh raspberries
1/2	cup apple jelly

	Print these coupons...
	About Concordance™

1.	Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 12-inch pizza pan with cooking spray or shortening.
2.	In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan.
3.	Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out clean or almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4.	In small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base. Arrange berries over cream cheese mixture. Stir jelly until smooth; brush over berries. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled. Cut into wedges. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions on brownie mix box. Use 14-inch pizza pan.

Substitution

Use your favorite combo of three berries.

Health Twist

Use a low- or no-fat cream cheese for the regular cream cheese.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving: Calories 310 (Calories from Fat 110); Total Fat 12g (Saturated Fat 4 1/2g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 40mg; Sodium 180mg; Total Carbohydrate 47g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 34g); Protein 3g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4%; Vitamin C 25%; Calcium 2%; Iron 10% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 2 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 3
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Mostly Wordless Wednesday #6: FUNNY CAT PIC!

OK! This pic still makes me roll on the floor laughing when I look at it! This is our oldest cat Maddie who we call "Chatty Maddie"! She NEVER shuts up; meows constantly!
The other day Gage woke up from his nap and was grumpy so I put Maddie in his bed to make him laugh! I took some pics and caught her in "MID-MEOW" right here; but it looks like she is CHEESING her little cat A*S off, doesn't it?? LOL!!

Gotta love funny animal pics!

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Noelle

A Day at the Pool!

Make a Smilebox slideshow We took a break from life today and headed to the pool! The boys had a blast and I am so sunburnt! But it was relaxing and fun; so that is whats important! Check out this cute slideshow I made:) Noelle ♥

A happy time... ?

Sometimes I wonder how life can go from being this happy, like in the photo above when I was about 7 months pregnant with Gage... to how crappy life feel today:(

Today I sit here evaluating where my life and "our life" as a couple, and as a family HAS become today...
FULL of stress, bitterness, not-nice words, frustrations...
it makes me SAD!

I know I am not perfect but I do the best I can to raise my children well and to make them happy. I slack on housework sometimes to spend extra time outside, or at the pool, or playing with them. I slack on housework too sometimes to give myself some "peace" by blogging, or scrap booking, or chatting with a friend.

I admit that I slack on paying a bill right away sometime/s to buy myself or the boys something new and nice; or going out to eat to just "get away".

Does this make me GUILTY and to be the one to blame all the time?

Brian has barely talked to me in 3 days because I didn't have money to put gas in the truck and he had to do it for the 2nd week in a row. Well, I DON'T have a job, nor do I have much $ in savings anymore... what am I to do?

Its constant fighting about $$$$$$ that drives me crazy!
Our wedding in less than 5 months away and sometimes he acts like he wants to throw it all away because he gets in a "tizzy" over the fact that he pays for everything!
Should I quit school and go to work full time?
I refuse to put my kids in expensive daycare to have them raised by someone else; which is an AGREEMENT that we both have had for years and now he is going back on his word!

I just can't ever "win" this battle and I am getting so burnt out!

Sorry to get so personal here, and I hope I haven't offended anyone.
I just needed to vent and I often do it best in writing.
Don't feel that you NEED to comment; its more just me getting things off my chest!

Noelle ♥

SCRAPBOOK SUNDAY: Fun with Borders!

Welcome to Scrapbook Sunday! Each week a couple gals and I show off our fave Scrapbook pages and tell a little something about them; such as the memory behind the pics or even how we created our pages! Feel free to jump on our scrappy band-wagon by leaving a comment letting me know that you'd like to join. I'll link you up on the next post:)
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The page above is a layout I did when we visited Kellogg's Cereal City in Battlecreek, MI a few years ago. What a FUN place! We got to tour the factory and watch how Cornflakes are made!! Gavin got his pic taken with Tony the Tiger and was able to sample some fresh Cornflakes right as they were made!

There was a wall of all the cereal box covers that Kellogg's has ever made! There also were a bunch of characters made from Lego's such as Tony the Tiger below and the Snap!Crackle!Pop! guys from Rice Krispie's shown below too:)

I made the border strip on the page above by punching out some of the little cereal boxes from the larger photo I took of the cereal box wall!

The border on the bottom of the page shown below was actually the little hat they gave Gavin to wear at the factory:)

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This page shows Gavin at 3 getting his picture taken by Nascar drivers car, Kurt Busch! We didn't get to meet Kurt or anything but daddy is a huge Nascar fan and they had the car here in town locally!

I used square punches for the corners of the page and some fun racing stickers to connect the squares. Gavin looks like he was ready to ride, huh?

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This page shows our youngest kitty Maxie when she was little! I punched out circles and layered them with two colors to create the border here. I also punched a circle out of Maxie's little face too, to add on the border. I had some fun cat themed stickers that I added to each circle punch as well. I got this layout tip from one of my Creative Memories idea books:)

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Thanks for visiting me today! Check out HOLLY's SS post too:)

We are off to the lake today to celebrate Father's Day with my future in-laws! Someone is a GRUMPY DAD on Father's Day today- NOT GOOD!!

Hope your daddies and hubbies are in a good mood today:)

Noelle ♥

Flowers, Finds and more!

Hi girls! Just got back a bit ago from some shopping with my friend/future sis-in-law Amie:) We hit up Old Navy because they had $2.00 tank tops today! We were in line outside the store at 9 am; till they opened at 9:30! LOL I got 3 new tanks, a pair of swim shorts for each of the boys, a v-neck tee for me, a pair of flip flops and a shirt for Brian for Father's Day! I also had a "take 25% off your purchase of $50.00 or more" coupon. I spent $40 and saved an extra $41.00 with the discounts and coupon! WAHOOOO!
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Above are my impatients that are still waiting to be planted in my hanging baskets; I am off to do that next today! We have a birthday party for a cutie little girl who's turning 1 today too:)

Holly, here are the Vanilla Marigolds I mentioned before.
They are a little bit yellow looking too; weird! All my flowers in pots are BLOOMING like CRAZY this year:) I love it ♥

This is a NOT so GREAT shot of my Tiger Lily's that opened this week! I got these pics taken yesterday evening just before it started to rain:(

Here are my planters in fill bloom; look at the Dahlia's!! They are so pretty!!

Here are some of the flowers I planted last week in my garden area, under my living room window. Now I am drawing a blank of the name of the tall purple flowers... MOM- help??

Found these cute patriotic yard signs at Dollar Tree yesterday too!

This area shown here is in front of my boring old concrete slab porch; can't wait to have a wrap around porch someday!! (Dreaming away here!!)
I love this little fence yard sign too:)

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The boys and I did some treasure huntin' yesterday at Goodwill. I found these pretty old plated already with a hanger on the back of them!! I am going to add some pretty ribbon and hang them in my living room! A bit of a GW splurge at $2 each.

A new pretty mug and a vase for $1 total!

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I mentioned awhile back that I had gotten a chance for some FREE old china pieces and linens from a family members home that was going up for sale... but I kept forgetting to show them!
I just love this black hankie!

Here are a couple mroe that I received too! The one with the purple flowers is my fave:)

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This week was a CHALLENGING one with my 2 little boys... WHEW!
Rainy days aren't much fun with these two; we are confined to the house
and they get bored and grumpy!

Last night they enjoyed some popcorn and watched half of Shrek 2 while I did some laundry!

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Here are my "CORN ON THE COB CUTIES"!!
Who would of thought eating corn could look so cute?

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I've been growing my hair out for our wedding so I can have a pretty Up-Do; its long enough for a pony-tail now! This is great for days that I don't feel like doing my hair!!

Here is a shot of the fluffy pony from the back; and my UGLY tattoo that I REGRET!!

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My mom, Lori from Pink Faded Roses tagged me to tell 6 Un-Important Things About Myself.

So, here they are:

1. I love Coke Zero, but refuse to drink any other DIET Pop- yuck!

2. I am petrified to death of water that is over my head and WILL NOT go in it! I have major fears of drowning!

3. I am addicted to the new reality show "Southern Belle's" that is on the SOAP channel on Thursday nights at 10 pm!

4. I now am scared to drive alone at night; because I rarely go anywhere now late since I've had kids!

5. I get my upper lip waxed! Thanks to age and the PCOS; I now get a "CHIC-STACHE"!! NOT COOL or CUTE!

6. My hubby to be weighs 35 lbs less than me and it PIS*ES me off!! I am EVEN more MOTIVATED now to lose weight!

Now its your turn...

I tag the following gals...

BRENDA

KATIE

HOLLY

STACY

and who ever else would like to do this!

Have a great weekend! See you back tomorrow for SCRAPBOOK SUNDAY!

Hugs,
Noelle ♥