I am so happy. . .I found this new website called Bake it Pretty (there is a link in my sidebar). I actually found it from Danielle Thompson's blog. She made these chocolate "mustache" suckers for her son's valentines for his class and I fell in love with them. I kinda have a thing for candy molds. I pick them up a lot when I go to Michael's or Joanns. I have so many but have been a little intimidated by them. I don't want to mess them up and make the candy come out all wonky. The ones with different colors especially. But I don't think I could mess up a mustache. It's just one color and I can do that! Just look at how cute they are! This is what Danielle did with them. . .I love how she pays attention to detail when she photographs things. They always are displayed so cute and have a fab background. I also picked up a few other candy molds and a cupcake cookie cutter. I am excited to make these for my kiddos and take some fun photos. I think it will be a hit with them. Check that site out. . .it's got the cutest kitchy things!
These are a few things I have my eye on this week. . .for one - this site is totally inspiring me! I love the colors, the design of the site, the fonts. Be still my heart. I found it from a challenge on the Noel Mignon site.
I really like these from etsy:

from this seller

lurrrrrrve this!!

one of my fave artists

I have been dreaming of buying one of these, but I think I can make my own. They just make me happy (it doesn't take much. . .I'm tellin' ya).

She has some really cute ones!

Off to clean my house before the munchkins come home. We have extra visitors today too. . .My mother in law is going to have a coffee with me while my little niece plays with the girls. I've got LOTs of cleaning to do since hubs was alone with the kids last night. Heheh. =)

Simple Pleasures

Today it is this mug. I have had my eye on this for awhile and anxiously awaited it's arrival at Target. It makes me so happy today. It doesn't take much. A sunny day, my new fave coffee mug filled with coffee topped off with whip cream, and my scrap table with yummy new kits waiting for me to rip them open and create.


What is your simple pleasure today? =) Happy Monday.
Amber

Can you feel the love?

All sorts of Valentines day activities goin' on around here! I love Valentines Day. Perhaps it's the extra attention I get from my husband or the scheduled date night that we have at least one time a year! Maybe it's making fun crafts and yummy foods with my kids. Whatever the reason. . .I just enjoy the extra opportunity we have to pamper the ones we love. I bought these cute little mailboxes from the $1 spot at Target and found an idea in one of my scrapbook mags to decorate them for my kid's v-day parties. Afterall, they can't just have little sacks with stickers! ;) It was so fun making them and even more fun to see the girl's faces when I showed them their little mailboxes. Since they were homeschooled before, this is their first "official" valentine's day party. They are so excited! I plan to make heart shaped waffles tomorrow and pack heart shaped sandwiches for their lunches. I love adding those extra special touches.

Here is one of the mailboxes. . .the other one was already sent to school.


Front view. . .


Back view. . .


In other news, we had a huge wind storm last night. It sounded almost like a tornado! Our trampoline was knocked over, the patio umbrella snapped and the bench on our front porch was tipped over. When I sat down to have my morning coffee, I discovered this:

A section of our fence blew down!! Ugh! Now everyone can see into my dining room - and I usually keep the windows wide open 24/7. I hate feeling like people are watching me though, and at night especially - so this will be a project that will need fixing soon. Hope no one else suffered too much damage. This Indiana weather is ridiculous. One day it is in the 60's and the next below freezing. I am ready for Spring! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day and do something a little special for the ones you love, even if it's only a love note on a sticky! :)
Love, Amber

Changes

You will probably notice some changes and you'll continue to see them as I slowly figure this blogging thing out! I really wanted a blog that was more reflective of my style, and think I'm finally getting there. I've been getting these "25 Random Things About Me" tags from facebook and is it bad that it has taken me a looooooong time to think of 25 interesting tidbits about my life? Heheh. Well, I finally think I may have some to share. They may not be too interesting, but they certainly are random. . .

1. I am a licensed Sleep Technician. Sooo that means if I read your brainwaves I could tell when you fall asleep and the sleep stages that you enter thereafter. I could also read your heart waves. =)
2. I grew up in a singing and traveling family and to this day we all harmonize and sing at family gatherings.
3. I have a deep love and appreciation for music because of my upbringing and I still love to sing which includes Karoaoke (to which my friends tease me endlessly for!)
4. Jazz music is like an instant Zoloft for me
5. I have always dreamed of being an entrepeneur in something; as an aspiring portrait photographer - I am slowly seeing my dream become a reality.
6. Life is that much better with a White Chocolate Caramel Mocha from Starbucks. It makes my day.
7. I drink a McDonald's large Diet Coke almost everyday. . .thanks to the $1 drink special since the beginning of Summer!
8. Along with my ears, my belly and nose are pierced (stay tuned for a tattoo - just kidding mom!) ;)
9. I am very much attracted to my husband even 11 years later. . .
10. I had Sushi for the first time 3 years ago and I can't get enough!!
11. I hate to drive
12. I love to ride
13. My husband makes me laugh like no other!
14. I love to play Dr. Mario with Kyle to unwind (it's a wii game by the way. . .nothing wierd!) ;)
15. I had a parakeet 8 years ago that I trained to talk and he had an extensive vocabulary. He could sing the entire Andy Griffith song
16. I trained my dog to ring a bell when she has to potty. . .to this day she rings it to go out and play, NOT to go to the bathroom!
17. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year.
18. I love the smell of burning leaves or a bonfire
19. I would love to live in a warm climate near the ocean.
20. I am fascinated by ghost shows (there's my inner nerd coming out)
21. I don't think I could live without my laptop
22. I have 100% enjoyed every stage of Xander's life, it has been so much fun to see how boys differ from girls!
23. Zoe is our entertainer and she is my shadow. I love her lively spirit and how she has a twinkle in her eyes when she smiles.
24. Micah is such a determined little girl. Her dedication to her schoolwork and athletic activities makes me so proud. She has such a sweet spirit and is a peacemaker.
25. Macy has such a servant heart. She would do anything for anyone (except her sisters!ha!). She loves to serve others and is such a good friend to others.

So there you have it. Actually. . .I'm kinda on a roll now. . .I could keep going! Haha. Off to play Dr. Mario with the hubs. ;-P