I stayed up late to do a little painting to go in my new kitchen which I will post in the next day or two and watched this while I was doing it. I just love Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor is just so lovely. I know it is sort of a corny and predictable movie but I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This post is for my gluten-intolerant friends and family. If you have this condition you understand how exciting it is when you find something good. Well we tried a new cookie recipe today from Liz's blog killthegluten.blogspot.com and it was sooooo good! It is her recipe for white chocolate chip macademia nut cookies only I just used good old chocolate chips and they were so good. They look and taste like real cookies! Hubby is so happy and for those of you who can eat gluten here someone really enjoying one!

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened (I use half margarine and half butter)
1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 & 1/2 tsp GF vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups white rice flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups (11oz bag) GF white chocolate chips
1 & 1/2 cups Macadamia nuts, chopped (I only use 1/2 cup, but would still be great with none!)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Blend in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in white chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes

The Batcave!

When we first told the kids that we would be moving and that meant the Mom and Dad would be going to look for a new house my four year old Matthew asked me to find a house with a Batcave. He is really into super-heroes and has been after his dad to take a saw to one of the walls in his old room and make him a Batcave there. So when the kids came to see the new house and found a storage space under the stairs he was thrilled--he found his Batcave! So on one of those days when I was trying to be the fun mom I remembered I had picked up some vinyl letters that were a misprint from the lady I buy that stuff from. I had no idea at the time what I would ever do with it, but it was a dollar and I knew that if I could find something, my batboy would love it. So believe it or not I am sharing my storage closet with my kids, we tried to put all the Christmas stuff around the corner and will hand a curtain or something and now they have a Batcave. They like to take bean bags in there and read or whatever. I am such a sucker! Oh, and he is showing you his muscles!

I actually had a minute to go thrifting the other day and I found this cute chair to sit at the computer desk. I am going to recover the seat. I think the wood is walnut, a real plus in this house of wood-lovers! Oh and best part of all--it was $8!

What to do with the kitchen?!

This blog seems to be taking a turn in the home decorating direction. I think that is just to distract me from the chaos that is surrounding me! So I start planning what I will do once the boxes are gone. So the bright blue stuff I had going at the old house is just not going to work here. The granite in the kitchen is just too warm and dark for it to look good. So I am trying to think what next. I am considering these. I think I may go with more jewelled tones of red and green maybe with a little black, although I am afraid of the dust factor up there. Although I do like the colors in my Diane Duda painting and yellow would be happy for a kitchen if I could go mustard enough. What do you think? (I know the important questions plaguing my life, but I gotta have some fun somewhere!)

Well, we had our first trip to the beach!

You can see how excited the kids were although it was much colder than expected. They had a great time playing in the waves but we didn't stay long enough to make them happy, I think Brittany would still be there. She would just squeal every time the waves came. Matthew was a little less sure and made sure he was holding my hand. Joshua was not a fan at all. We went to a place called Half Moon Bay, it was pretty but very misty. I think we will try another beach a little further south next time. But all in all I would have to say it was a successful first adventure!

Okay guys, here is where I need your help!

This is Matthew's room, he is almost five. Tiff at Loveboxes told me that these colors would be alright and I think she was right. We also have big blue shelves the same color as the bedspread the will go up on the walls and have primary colored legos sitting on them. I found some fabric in my stash that I think ties the colors together. It has big sailboats and I really like it. Now I don't know what to do with it. The room has these little, high windows that I put temporary fabric in just to keep out the morning sun. So I could make some kind of window treatment. Or cut it into squares and make some kind of quilt for the end of the bed. Anyone have any ideas? Thought about painting some canvases but don't really know what they should be of. Thanks for your help!

Okay, so in an effort to foster love in my heart for my new home in California and an attempt to share with the folks back in Utah I have decided to pick new things I like about this new place. So todays item is flowers.

These little beauties are everywhere! And the trees are all blooming, I mean a tree that is covered in fuchia colored blossoms! How can you not love that?! That is the tree I think I will ask for on my birthday. The more of them I see the more I want one!

Thank you so much for your lovely words of welcome and commiseration on moving! You guys are the best and have just fulfilled one of my hopes, that this blog would help me feel less isolated as I adjust to my new place. Nothing like taking your friends with you, in one way or another!

We are here!!!
Yes folks I am back! It was a pretty intense couple of weeks there. Let's just let pictures explain. The first picture is of our old living room after a crew of movers and my amazing mother had at it. You would not believe those movers, I have never experienced this before so I thought it was great, like having magicians pack for you. And my mother, I am telling you the woman should rent out, except it would kill her off. She cleaned like a mad woman and my house had never looked better. Now the new house, oh boy. Well look for yourself. This is the living room after about three days of unpacking. Obviously the living room is pretty far down in priorities. Just in case you wondered that couch should be going the other direction but there isn't room to turn it around yet. But hey, the kids rooms are pretty well put together and the kitchen is too so we will get there eventually. The calvalry is coming in a couple of weeks in the form of that same amazing mother so hopefully we will eventually become cute again. I hope this isn't too boring, we probably won't be too crafty around here for awhile but I will probably be posting some house stuff to get your great opinions on. It sounds a little silly but I missed you guys! My kids were talking about imaginary friends today and they thought I should get one too and I told they I didn't need to because I always think of my blog friends as my imaginary friends! So hello again!

Ha! Ha! You thought I was gone didn't you? Well I was going to be, but then I saw my friend Tiff was having a give-away and just had to spread the word! Trust me ladies, you want anything this girl makes! Go leave a comment and hurry, before she gives it away!

One last kid idea before I disapper for a little while.

This is another one of my happy accidents. We no longer buy or even make pinatas with paper mache(which we did for years). When we need a pinata I just get a gift sack, which we usually aready have. And we usually cut out a picture that goes with the theme of the party. Last year Matthew's was Super man so I got a school folder for less than a dollar, cut out Superman and we had a Superman pinata. This year I just used one of the invitations we used to invite Brittany's friends and then added a little paint. Joshua's we just painted ballons on. If you happen to have a cuter sack than we did your work is done. I have put an extra sack in holding the candy, but then it takes forever to break! Staple it closed, tye it up to hang from a broom or a tree and you are set! We made three! Oh, and I don't know what is up with that goofy face Brittany is making! I will try and post one more time if the movers don't take my computer tomorrow. I may try and do it along the way, if not I will be back probably by July 15. Love you guys, thanks for all of your encouragement. Don't forget me!

Is anyone considering suggesting I check into the funny farm?

I know, I really need to stop doing little projects and concentrate on moving stuff, but where would the fun in that be? I couldn't sleep the other night so I made this for our favorite babysitter. It now says "we love amanda" in that blue banner. I am reallly liking these little canvas/collage/paintings and might have to do one for myself eventually. I wish I could promise this will be my last little project but I know myself too well! Besides I know I have pinjatas to put together today and two birthday parties this weekend! Oh, well Monday and the movers are going to come no matter what I do right? Thanks so much for your wonderful words and support, it is really helping me!

It's my baby's birthday!!

I can't believe we have had him for a whole year! Yes, he was a jumbo baby, 9lbs 7oz. And you know you have a crafting problem when you are willing to go to this extreme. Our older son Matthew was Batman for halloween and so he insisted that the baby should have a batsuit also. So what did I do? Dyed a little nightgown black and then appliqued the batsign on it! It is pretty cute though. And Matthew was thrilled when he came to meet his brother. He has been so fun and I am so glad we did the whole pregnancy thing one more time to get him! We love you Joshua!!!

Okay it's time to panic!

For some reason it had escaped me that this move was so close until about Sunday night. Now I seem to have hit the panic zone. The movers come Monday! And although they are supposed to do everything and my mother and sister were killer cleaners about a month ago, somehow we find ourselves in the middle of a mess. I still need to sort some things out and make sure we are not packing useless, dirty junk. So that is what I have been doing and will continue to do probably to the last minute. I was thinking about this whole thing yesetertday and wishing it could be like when I had an upper-GI scope. I know that sounds weird but when they do that they give you this drug that keeps you conscious and functional but afterward you have know memory of the whole event. I wish I could do that! I still need to be functional but I have a feeling I am really going to want to blot out about the next 2 weeks. Oh well, this is what I signed on for as the mom right? So on a more fun note, this is my last swap. I sent it off a couple of days ago so hopefully my partner Katherine, who is turns out attended my same college, will not have her surprise ruined. I have really enjoyed these last few swaps I have done. I am really looking forward to doing some more when I get settled. It is the treat I am offering myself actually. This swap was for three of your favorite things. So I sent an apron(cooking and sewing), a headband(because I really like them this year), a little Mary Engelbriet box(have always loved her), a couple of little tulip gift cards(love spring) and put it all in a box that I modge podged with music because my partner likes music. Hope she likes it! The practical side of me says I really shouldn't be blogging right now, but I have to have something fun going on around here or I will lose it! So I may not get one every day but I probably won't quit until Monday and then I may go missing for a little while. Oh, and thank you so much for the kind words about my picture, don't know why that is so scary!

It's here!! Thanks to Beth and the Tiara angels!

It came! My beautiful, gorgeous tiara arrived this weekend from Beth! When it first arrived I was so scared that all of Beth's hard work had been destroyed because it looked like an elephant sat on the box! But after much tugging, we finally freed it from its smashed house and it was just perfect! Beth must have insured it with the Tiara angels because it was totally untouched! I cannot believe the detail and the loveliness. It is pink and fluffy and just so gorgeous. See those little pink chicks? Beth put three of the little darlings on there to represent my kids. And I love the M, this is so childish of me, but I love it because it means it is mine and I don't have to share it! If you are a mom you know you ususally end up sharing just about everything but that M means it is Michelle's, Mom's and Mine! Look at how lovely even the inside is! She even sent along a little pink goody bag, the card was even darling! So thank you to the tiara angels who protected it and most of all thank you to my wonderful new friend Beth who really knows how to make an amazing tiara and spoil a girl! This lovely thing has made me brave, and so I have decided to attempt the super-scary; posting a picture of myself on this little blog. But hey, when you are wearing a tiara you can do anything right?!

Pretty Ballerina!

We have had a bit of a crazy week full of ballet recital rehersals and performance. But it was so lovely! Our Brittany was so fabulous! She has the greatest, animated stage face. We just love to watch her! This ballet experience has been so great, their recital is really great performance complete with fabulous costumes and a live orchestra. It is definitely one of the things we will miss although I am working on finding a new one. Oh, and can you see those sparkly ears? We got them pierced as part of our mom/daughter/ballet day!

If you are my partner Elizabeth look away!

At least if you want your tiara to be a surprise. I finished it yesterday and am going to put it in the mail today. I know I should wait until she gets it to post pictures, but I just couldn't wait! I am quite happy with how it turned out. She said her favorite colors were green with a little bit of pink. It actually is so much green that it blends in with the grass! I hope she likes it. She e-mailed me that mine is on it's way, I can hardly wait! I think a tiara should be perfect for celebrating a new house with don't you? I may have to wear it while I pack! I will be sure to post pictures when it comes.

Well, it's Official!
We got the word last night that our latest offer had been accepted! So it looks like this will be the house! I thought Iwould post a picture of the living room and the kitchen too, since I am really excited about the plantation shutters and the stainless steel appliances. If I can't have the cute vintage looking appliances then these will do. I think this must mean I am an official grown-up when shutters and refridgerators make me excited! Oops! Looks like I accidentally posted the family room too! I have been a little sad too though because this is making the whole thing seem real. I mean we are supposedto close on the new house by July 10 and we may be apple to make it sooner than that! Thanks so much blog-friends for your well wishes while we were on this trip, I think it worked!

I am back!

Well, it was a pretty good trip, I think we have found the house but we are waiting for them to okay the last counter-offer we made last night so I won't jinx it by putting a picture up here, but maybe later today or tomorrow. But, I have gotten some great swap treasures in the mail lately so I thought I would put them up. First I received a fabulous purse from Julie in North Carolina as part of the purse swap I did. It is made from reproduction civil war fabric! I love it! Thank you so much Julie, I only hope you received as fabulous a bag as I did! Then yesterday I received this beautiful hand-painted rose charm from Karla. She was kind enough to swap me a tote because my life was just not going to be complete without one. I have already hung it from a pretty ribbon and am going to wear it today. Thank you so much Karla! Aren't I lucky, This swap thing is really fun, I could easily become an addict I think!

Here are some pretties!

I haven't put anything pretty up here in a while it seems. So I thought I would put some up. Ihave been working on a gift for my daughter to give her little friend when we leave so I made these canvases. I actually made two so they could each have one, I think they turned out kind of fun. I also received fun atc cards in my swap, I think they both look like something I would have chosen for myself!

I am leaving to go house hunting in California tomorrow so I won't be posting until after the weekend. Cross your fingers and send me happy house vibes. I really hope to come home having found something. May even have some pictures to post! Happy weekend!

Cafe Rio Chicken

Something yummy!

Okay, this recipe has several things going for it. First you make it in a crock-pot, that is always a perk with me as I always seem to have more time to make dinner before noon. Second it makes a ton of chicken so I like to eat it all week long. And third because I do like to eat it all week it is nice that you can make it into different things. I like it best as a taco salad, but it is also yummy as nachos or tacos. I got this recipe from my friend Jen and she called it Cafe Rio chicken, not sure how accurate or not that is, but it is yummy. So here it is.

In a crock pot add about four chicken breasts,they can be boneless or not. Mix together: one bottle of zesty italian dressing 1T cumin

1Tchili powder 3cloves chopped garlic

Pour this over the chicken and cook on low about 4 hours. Then shred meat with a fork and stir. Roast another hour. You are ready to make,tacos, salad or nachos.

My friend also gave me this dressing for a yummy dressing. In a blender you add:

2 tomatillos half a handful of cilantro 1clove garlic

1lime juiced 1jalepenio(I do it without the seeds because I am wimpy)

1sm package of buttermilk ranch dressing prepared as directed. Hit the blender and it is ready! I really love this dressing when Imake mine into salad or nachos. It really is more yummy than my picture looks! Oh, and when I made it last week I didn't have the ingredients for the dressing, this is just good old ranch with a handful of corn chips thrown in. The real dressing is a lovely shade of green.

Martha's stuff is cute!

I went to Michael's craft store yesterday to check out Martha Stewart's line of craft goodies that I keep seeing on people's blogs and it was really fun! She has so many fun things. I could have taken home one of everything. I did buy a couple of things and the quality seems to be good, as I would expect of Martha. Of course, being Martha the packaging is really nice and cute. The prices were about what I expected, not cheap, but not really expensive. I would definitely reccomend taking one of the 40% off coupons that come in the mail sometimes, you would definitely use it!

It has been a great mail week at my house!

Look at my treasures! I finally broke down and ordered one of Natasha's prints. I LOVE it! This picture doesn't do it justice! It is going to go in Brittany's room in the new house if I can bear to part with it. And I bought some jewelry I love. Missficklemedia has a great etsy shop and I have to say her things are not just reasonable, they are Cheap! I bought that big charm for my sister and had a hard time letting it go. But I kept that cute little bird and great ring for myself. And they came all wrapped up cute. Oh! and I received two of my atc swapping cards, I'll have to show you those next time!

I have the best friends!!

I got together with the best group of girls ever Saturday night. There were about 10 of us and most of us either started elementary school together or became friends while in elementary school. The few that did not hooked up with us in junior high. There is just something wonderful about people who have always known you. I happen to think we are all better friends and probably nicer people than we were growing up, but there is something just so comforting about people who have always known you and you feel quite certain always will. I was going to post a cute picture we took, but I wasn't quite sure how everyone would feel about that so just let me tell you this group of girls is lovelier than they were in high school, really, I am not just kissing up. They are all gorgeous. And I love them. And I am going to miss them SOOOO MUCH!!! But they were wonderful and made the extra effort to get together one last time before I move and I know it wasn't easy because it was the weekend school got out and there were a lot of family functions. We had a great time at our friend Circe's house, who is always ready for a party, even if, as on this occasion, her hubby is out of town and she is home alone with her five kids. It was great and I really apprecitated it. AND I got a few treasures to! You know I can just never hide how much I love getting presents! Tiff from loveboxes gave me another box, and trust me I will never ever have enough of those. When I got home my Brittany said"Mom do you think Tiffany will send us boxes in California?" I can only hope! Look how lovely it is! I also receive a fabulous frame that I think I will be putting my new print from Natasha in and great music from the Mormon Tabernacle choir to help me think of Utah. I really do have the best friends and I only hope the rest of them will start blogging so I can take them with me!

Come join the fun!

I am going to do this fabulous swap over at Holly's! I mean who doesn't need a tiara? I know, you are thinking, "Hey, wasn't this girl supposed to be moving?" Yes, I am but a girl has to have a little fun and a little creative outlet so I swear this is the last swappy thing I am doing. But it looks so fun I couldn't resist. I am just so happy to think there are so many other girls out there who haven't grown up yet either!

New Pictures of the kids!

Aren't they cute?! I got these back a couple of weeks ago and just had to share. You have to go over to Diane's blog and see her post from yesterday, I swear her new little boy looks just like Matthew!