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We recently found out that a good friend of ours has breast cancer.

She was going to go in to have the lumps removed and have a double mastectomy.

She's a small business owner, a mom, a wife....overall a busy lady!

I love her dearly and hate to see her family going through this.

I know how hard this has been on her and her family,

so I wanted to try and do something to make her day a little brighter.

So I put together this gift basket.

I'm sure you've seen the cost of buying pre-made gift baskets...they are super pricey.

And sometimes buying the items that you'd like to put into a basket can be pretty expensive too.

So I decided to see what items I might already have that would go good in a basket. 

A lot of these are deals that I found for either free or really cheap with coupons:

- Softsoap Bodywash ($0.50)

- Oatmeal bath packets (3 for $0.75)

-Monopoly card game (free)

-Colgate toothpaste (free)

-Sleepytime tea ($2)

The other items, I picked up at garage sales...and were in like new condition:

-Starbucks coffee mug ($1)

- Max Lucado Book ($0.50)

-Basket ($1)

-Avon anti-bacterial lotion ($0.25)

along with some tissue paper I already had, this basket came together nicely!

My total cost for this basket was $6.00

I delivered it to her, and she loved it.

There are a good mix of items to use while at the hospital

and after she gets home.

 

It's important to remember that when giving a gift

cost doesn't matter

the thought and love that go into a present

that's what matters!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Please take a second to say a prayer for my sweet friend.

 

Have a wonderful week.

 

You can listen to some samples from Mitch's new CD on iTunes

 

 

I personally love all of these songs! If I had to say which was my favorite, I'd have to say "Grace Defines Me" is so beautiful. But I really love all of them!

 

 

 

If you have an Andriod device, you can also download Mitch's songs too!

 

 

 

I told Mitch that I loved this CD soooo much, that I HAD to share it with my readers - so he gave me 4 copies to give to you!!!

 

{Isn't that sweet?}

 

 

Make sure and enter the rafflecopter below to get entered to win one of Mitch's CDs.

 

 

 

 

 

Even though I'm working out

trying to lose some weight

and get in shape

 

I still have a horrible sweet tooth

Sometimes there's no fighting it

and it has to be filled.

 

This is my easy solution!

 

 

The WORLDs Easiest

Peanut Butter Double Chocolate Brownies!

 

 

 

You'll start with a cheap-o box of brownie mix

(this one came from Aldi's)

Mix the package according to the box directions.

 

Pour the brownie mix into a prepared pan.

Next you'll need some peanut butter and chocolate chips.

 

With a tablespoon, drop 5-6 dollops of peanut butter all over on the mixture.

Stir slightly with a knife.

Be careful to not touch the bottom or the sides of the pan with your knife.

 

Next add 5-6 more good sizes drops of peanut butter into your pan.

Do not stir this time.

 

Add a layer of chocolate chips on top of the brownie mixture.

Bake according to package directions.

 

 

These beauties are the end result.

Yummy

Gooey

Peanut-buttery!!!

 

Can't beat that!

The brownies come out moist and tall!

I love to bit into the swirls of peanut butter...always reminds me of a peanut butter cup!

 

I love that these treats are easy to whip up for the family

or yourself.

That's how I like to eat them!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today - have a great weekend!

At home getting ready to leave

 

The whole race was a jog/walk for me.

I'm really not much of a runner, so jogging suited me just fine

 

The hubby and I ran the race together.

He actually ran the whole thing.

Two years ago, he finished in 50 minutes and was so happy

This year he didn't train and finished in 1:09

I think for a man in his 40's with no training - that's pretty good.

 

Before the race started

 

I felt pretty good during the race.

I would run/jog until it hurt, then stop and walk

 

I even felt good after the race.

I did some errands with my Grandma afterwards

and was doing pretty good

Here we are after we finished!

 

Today.....I am SSSSSSOOOOOO sore.

Surprisingly, it's my rib cage that hurts the most.

 

And I'm meeting with a personal trainer for the first time today also.

Yikes.

 

Anyways, I'm super proud of myself for doing this

The more I do things like this, the more I realize that I can do all kinds of hard stuff..

and sometimes that aren't as hard as I thought they would be.

 

 

 

 

Don't you LOVE this?

Make sure and share with all your girlfriends that need to hear it!

 

You can also view the rest of these videos, including a powerful one just for men on YouTube.

 

 

 

 

Linking up to: Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, New Nostalgia

I thought it was the funniest thing,

the other day my oldest son Ashton

said he had been in the mood from some my Pumpkin Bread

and could I make some for him.

 

Of course, I can't turn down such a sweet request

so I made up these two beautiful loaves for the boys.

 

 

Both loaves were completely gone

within three days!

 

These kids (and the hubby)

love some pumpkin bread!

 

Here's how you can make some to share with your family too...

 

 

Easy Spicy Pumpkin Bread

 

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup applesauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

16oz pumpkin puree

 

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar together until well combined. I used my stand mixer for this.

 

Add to the dry ingredients the applesauce, oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix again until well mixed.

Finally add the pumpkin. Stir in the pumpkin until just combined.

 

Pour into two greased and floured bread pans.

 

Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.

 

 

*NEW* Printable Version - Easy Spicy Pumpkin Bread

 

 

I hope your family enjoys this yummy pumpkin bread as much as mine did!

I'm so excited that fall is here

it's my favorite time of the year!

 

I've already bought our passes to the pumpkin patch

(we have a HUGE one...it's a big deal)

....you can check it out here...

I love everything about fall!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

 

 

 

 

Linking up to....I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Keeping it Simple, Mad in Crafts, That's What Che Said, Homemaker on a Dime, Flour Me with Love, Sew Can Do, Alderberry Hill, DIY Home Sweet Home, Marvelous Mondays, New Nostalgia, Naptime Creations, Inside Bru Crew Life, Ladybug Blessings, Kathe with an E, HomeComing, Someday Crafts, Sew Much Ado, Lady Behind the Curtain, Make Bake Create, Sugar and Dots, Kitchen Meets Girl, Everyday Home Blog, Creations by Kara, Buns in my Oven, The Trendy Treehouse

 

If you are a wanna-be photographer, a newbie photographer or a pro, you might have heard of Sandy Puc.

 

Sandy offers a whole host of tools to photographers at every level.

 

I was lucky enough to be able to attend one of her workshops last month!

 

 

 

Here is a quick pic of Sandy and I after her show!

 

I learned SO MUCH from this two-day show, it was amazing.

I loved every minute of it.

 

 

They show you how to set up a good indoor shoot, they talk about lighting, white balance, running a business, advertising....you name it.

 

If it has something to do with photography -- Sandy and her team will most likely talk about it!

 

Here's a pic I took of one of the many models they provide for you to try out your skills on!

Sandy only has a few more shows lined up for the rest of this year, you can check her on at SandyPucTours. The best part is...the first night of the show is free! And the second night is only $99!

 

If you have any interest in growing your knowledge of photography - or possibly making some money doing it, make sure and check her out. I came home with over 12 pages of notes form this class! Loved it!

 

If you can't get to one of her show, you can always check her out at Sandy Puc University. She also offers a free resource at SPTV Blog 

 

I was not paid to write this review....I wasn't even asked to....I just really loved this show and would love for all you fellow budding photographers to learn from it like I did!

 

Enjoy!

I'm so happy that fall is finally here!

It really is my favorite time of the year.

 

I bought several sweaters during the spring and summer and I finally get to wear them.

I am so excited!

 

 

 

I went to Kohls the other day to look around

and saw this placemat

I loved the look...but it was $9

and I thought for sure, I could make one cheaper at home.

 

 

Fallen Leaf Tablescape

 

Supplies Needed:

Fake Leaves (I found mine at the Dollar Tree)

Placemat (I found this round woven one at Walmart for $2)

Glue Gun

 

Make sure you hang some of the leaves over the edge

and turn them different directions.

I think it gives it all a more natural look.

 

I didn't have enough leaves to cover the entire space

which I thought was just fine.

 

I really love how it turned out!

And for just $3!

 

I added my glass pumpkin

and a few other fall table items

 

 

This was an easy project that took less then about 15 minutes to finish

and it looks amazing!

 

Happy Fall - thanks so much for stopping by today!

You can find more projects like this one by clicking here.

 

 

 

Linking up to....I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Keeping it Simple, Mad in Crafts, That's What Che Said, Homemaker on a Dime, Flour Me with Love, Sew Can Do, Alderberry Hill, DIY Home Sweet Home, Marvelous Mondays, Give me the Goods Monday, New Nostalgia, Naptime Creations, Inside Bru Crew Life, Ladybug Blessings, Kathe with an E, HomeComing, Someday Crafts, Sew Much Ado, Lady Behind the Curtain, Make Bake Create, Sugar and Dots, Kitchen Meets Girl, Everyday Home Blog, Creations by Kara, Buns in my Oven, The Trendy Treehouse

 

I'm pretty sure I didn't even run/walk/jog a 14 minute mile....I didn't even look at my time.

 

I was just happy that I did it!

 

 

Here we all are before the race.

 

 

This is a picture I quickly snapped with my phone when Ashton and Chris passed me.

 

 

And here we are afterwards....everyone was feeling awesome!

 

I'm really proud of Ashton...for 9 years old, he finished his first 5K with a time of 41:13!

Not being a runner at all, I'm not sure if that's fast or slow...

but who cares!

He's 9 and he loved it.

 

We might have a runner on our hands!

 

Are you a runner? I'd love any tips for a newbie!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

 

 

Someday Crafts, Lady Behind the Curtain, Make Bake Create, Sugar and Dots, Gingersnap Crafts, The Everyday Home, Kitchen Meets Girl, The Trendy Treehouse

 

 

 

If you need a strong, durable label that will stand up to your family,

you don't have to look anymore!

 

Kidecals labels are so thick and stick like glue to everything.

I chose to get a universal label for our family.

Just our last name and phone number

I wanted to be able to use the labels on more then just stuff for the kids.

 

But I still chose a design the kids would dig...

 

 

 

Here are just a few places, my new Kidecals have been stuck on.

 

My Tupperware cake holder

my cupcake carrier

my crockpot

My large Pyrex carrier

my camera

my sons backpack

his lunch carrier

all of his school folders

snow pants

snow boots

my hubbys school books

my camera bag

my coupon carrier

and finally on my laptop!

 

I'm really loving these labels

So much that I about stuck one to my cell phone.

Then I realized that it has my cell phone number on it...so if I lost my cell phone, that would be a little pointless.

 

Anyways.

These labels come in some really cool designs!

 

 

The prices are super reasonable too.

A "Mega Set" of labels includes 24 two inch labels and 48 one inch labels...for a total of 72

all for just $28

 

They also have smaller packages, starting at $21.

 

These labels are waterproof, dishwasher and washing machine proof

There are pretty much indestructible!

 

I love that they have labels for everything!

They can help you get organized, share some home-made brew with friends, decorate your keyboard and so much more!

 

Guess what? Celebrities love these labels too!!! Check out all the pictures from The Emmys!

 

Make sure and sign up for their newsletter, and they'll send you a coupon for 15% off your order!

 

Go check out Kidecals on

 

and Twitter

 

Again, Kidecals is a great place to help get your family organized and will help save money too from not having to replace things that the kids lose! Thanks so much to Kidecals for allowing me to review their labels! I love them!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

I was given a Mega Set sheet in return for my review of Kidecals. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went to the Sandy Puc two day photography classes (a-ma-zing!)

I went and visited my BFFs and got to meet this little guy for the first time.

The hubby and our neighbor started what we thought would be a quick weekend project.

It has now turned into about two months worth of work.

Here's a picture of my beautiful friends - love these girls!

Oh....this again.

This has taken up too much of my time here lately.

I'm sooooo over it.

I now have a fourth grader.

And a Pre-Schooler.

Ugh....

So. Like I said, I'm back.

I have actually been doing some pretty cool little projects here and there.

I can't wait to share those with you!

I also have a whole host of AWESOME giveaways and reviews that are coming up from...

and so much MORE!!

See you here tomorrow for my review of the amazing Kidecals!