The Hands-On Housewife

BABIES! BABIES! BABIES!

2012-01-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

Babies! Babies! Babies!! {no babies here, though}

I am so excited That i have 6 friends expecting a baby!

3 of them have due dates that are each a day apart!!...so excited!

I was inspired to make these....download, frame and give it as a gift if you have an expected baby in your life!!

{just click and save the image to your computer}

xoxo!!

Happy New Year!!!!!

2012-01-02T22:39:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

It's hard to believe another year has passed. The years just seem to get better and better so I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!

I NEVER manage to complete a New Year's resolution. Maybe this will be the year. So... I will make two and hopefully one will stick!!! Posting them here may hold me more accountable as well, probably not.

1. keep my car clean.

2. stop drinking Diet Coke & all soda for that matter

Yikes, this is going to be tough! Happy 2012!!

For Jaclyn!!

2011-12-27T11:27:00.001-08:00

I made this print for one of my dearest friends, Jaclyn. I read this quote and it reminded me so much of her. She is an AMAZING special Ed teacher that sometimes loses herself in her work. She was telling me how good it felt this summer to start doing her art again...so I framed this in a cute white frame to remind her to take some time for herself.

{just right click and save the .jpg if you would like it too!}

Jaclyn, I am pretty sure you will never read this....

but I want you to know that you are one of the people I admire most. I often think to myself, how do you do it? You are a dedicated, determined & creative teacher....but most of all you are loving, caring, thoughtful, funny & loyal friend to the end!!

XOXO!!

merry christmas!!!

2011-12-24T09:06:00.001-08:00

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! Here is our Chrismas card this year...

My very sweet friend Marla at Sprout Photography shot these amazing pictures!!!

Check her out: www.sproutphotographyonline.com

next year maybe....

2011-12-01T16:04:00.001-08:00

A keep calm for Thanksgiving. Better late than never!!

Maybe you can use it next year....

xoxo

I'm Back!!!

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

It has been crazy around here!! I almost let my blog go forever...but, I'm back!!

Here we are December 1st and I am posting about SUMMER. {is that even allowed?}

Here is what we were up to....

Lot's of trips to Disneyland!!

A ton of FUN in the sun!! {and Bella's 1st bee sting}

Our annual camping trip

{with some of our closest friends}

and lots of time playing with our chickens!!

I just love my sweet little family and all of the memories we make together.

Father's day

2011-06-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

Lunch with my dad & a trip to Disney with Bella and Mark....perfect!!

A card for Dada

2011-06-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is sneaking up fast!! Here is the card Bella will give to her Dada this year...we just love her drawings and I think Mark will cherish this for years to come!!

Just click the image and save for the jpg. :)

Or click here for the pdf

Fathers Day

Quick. Easy. Yummy!

2011-06-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

This is a quick and easy dinner I like to make!!

Brown butter & sage gnocchi

I love it because it only takes 10 minutes! Here's how you do it...

you need:

a package of gnocchi {i use Trader Joe's whole wheat}

1/3 stick {ish} butter

handful of fresh sage {chopped}

chicken bouillon

Cook the gnocchi according to the package and add the chicken bouillon to the boiling water.

Melt the butter in a pan until light brown in color. Throw in the chopped sage and cook until a little crispy. Add in the cooked gnocchi. Season with JANES MIXED UP SALT...do you know what that is? If not, look it up right away!! Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese & love!!

For Ms. Baldwin!

2011-06-06T12:07:00.001-07:00

We could not have asked for better teacher's this year!! Ms. Baldwin made school a place Bella LOVES!! Here is one of the little gifts I plan to give her this week...I can't believe it's already the last week of school!!

{Ms. Baldwin LOVES purple}

click and save image for jpg.

or download the pdf {in purple or red}...

Keep Calm-teach on (Red)

Keep Calm-teach on (Purple)

3 1/2 already.....

2011-06-03T13:12:00.001-07:00

I have so much fun creating my own fun traditions with my little family. This tradition is probably one of my favorites. On Bella's half birthday we have a family picnic {Bella picks what we have for dinner}. This year the weather was a little windy & chilly so I set the picnic up by the front door while she took her nap!!

We sipped on her favorite...PINK lemonade!

I made her a little crown and we ate the 1/2 of a {purple & pink layered} cake that we made together.

I love this little girl more than words can express and love to celebrate her any chance that I have!!

xoxo!

My girls are getting BIG!!

2011-05-31T19:47:00.000-07:00

WOW!! These chicks are growing so fast. We are having a blast raising our chickens and discovering their personalities! Each chicken is unique and they are definitely establishing a "pecking order". Next step, a coop in the side yard!!

Meet LuLu & Chicken Little.

{LuLu will lay blue/green eggs!!}

Introducing Captain Hook...we had to make a splint when she was only a

couple of days old to straighten her hooked toe!

These chickens are lots of fun and LOTS of poop...but we love them anyways!

My little star!

2011-05-20T16:27:00.000-07:00

We just LOVE Michael Spengler and Studio M!!! Here is a peak at a commercial shoot we did. Bella is the one in purple...is she a ham or what!?!

For the mama's!!

2011-05-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Print, have your little one draw a special picture & make your Mom's Day!!! I made this for Bella to give to her Nana & Gram Gram. Thought you might like it too!!

**download .jpg by clicking and saving image below**

Hope this will bring a smile to all of the Nana's out there!!

or download .pdf here...

Mothers Day

Welcome to the family!!

2011-04-27T10:39:00.001-07:00

We have been waiting a long time for this day to come!!!!!

OUR CHICKS ARE HERE!!!!!

As soon as the post office called Bella and I were off to meet our new baby chicks.

We love them already!!

They are just the sweetest little things. They sleep when you hold and pet them..ahhhh...love!

Even better will be the assortment of colorful eggs they will lay for us in a few short months!!!

Get ready to read lots of posts about our adventures in raising chickens!

Got eggs?

2011-04-25T17:07:00.001-07:00

Do you have extra eggs like me.....

Make these delicious Deviled Eggs!!

Here is the recipe adapted from Bon Appétit.

6 hard-boiled eggs

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons minced celery
4 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon minced drained capers
2 teaspoons minced shallot

Peel the hard boiled eggs. Cut eggs in half and remove the yolks. Mash yolks in a bowl and mix in remaining ingredients. Transfer mix into a plastic baggie, cut corner from bottom of the baggie and pipe into the prepared egg whites. Garnish with paprika, chill and enjoy!!

Here we are with our little Easter egg hunter!!

xoxo, Stephanie

SomeBUNNY loves you!!!

2011-04-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Every year I send out an Easter card and it always says "SomeBUNNY loves you!". I am a little embarrassed that I send a card for every holiday so the list of people I send to gets shorter and shorter.

Here is the card I sent this year......are these pictures cute or what!!

Hope you and your family have a very HAPPY EASTER!!!!

xoxo, Stephanie

**photos by: www.studiomlajolla.com

The perfect Saturday!

2011-04-17T15:37:00.001-07:00

Here is a peek at my perfect Saturday with my perfect little family!! We are so lucky to have a beautiful park near our home. This is not just any park...it has a real steam engine train, a stream, lots of trees and a farmer's market every Saturday!!

This is where we always start. The CREPE stand!!..here is Bella giving Mark her order and making sure they can get some fresh squeezed orange juice, too!!

We take our goodies to the park to eat....

eat.

Play in the trees!

Make some wishes!!

Finish up our crepes.

Then we wait for the train & find a few lucky clovers....

and wait some more....

Yes!! Here comes the train.

We wave at all of the children {I was too excited to take pictures}

and then we wait some more for the train to come around again!!

Hope you had a great weekend!!! xoxo!!

KEEP CALM for Easter

2011-04-04T14:54:00.000-07:00

I just love Easter. Everything about Easter!!!

The colors, the EGG HUNTS, brunch, easter baskets, family...I could go on for days!!

I am putting out my Easter decor and thought I would share this print with you!

Just click HERE download the color that matches your Easter decor....

Or download....

Happy Monday!! XOXO

Just a WEE bit late....

2011-03-28T11:04:00.001-07:00

I know I am posting this REALLY late...but I wanted to show you Bella's St. Patty's Day party!! She had such a great time. A yummy lunch, fun friends and a bouncy house!!

Sweet snacks and lemonade for the Mama's.

I also made a deelish potato soup for the adults...

{potato soup post here}

A cute little table set up for all of the tots. Each child had their own brown bag lunch!

Everyone looked great wearing their GREEN!!!

Now on to all of the Easter fun....

IRISH Potato Soup Success!

2011-03-16T17:15:00.001-07:00

This soup is a perfect addition to your St. Patty's Day feast!! Today was our annual playgroup party at my house and I served this yummy soup to all of the Mamas! I picked up the paper cup containers at Smart & Final and ordered the wood spoons from Amazon...oh, how I LOVE Amazon!!

Before {pretty cute right...}

After!!

Here's how I made this SUPER SIMPLE soup....

what you need:

2 tbs Butter

2+cups chopped onion {i had yellow onion at home}

1 cup chopped celery {make sure to use some of the leaves too}

4 big cloves of garlic {minced}

4 lbs of peeled chopped potatoes

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese {i used a cheddar blend in a bag}

1 cup green onion

8 pieces of crispy cooked bacon...mmmm...bacon...

8 cups chicken stock

salt & pepper to taste

what to do:

Saute onion, celery and garlic in the butter for 4 mins or so. Add broth and chopped potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 45-60 mins. Blend soup until its pretty smooth and add 1 cup of the cheese. Stir to melt the cheese. Serve garnished with the cheese, green onions & bacon! ENJOY!!!

Help find a cure!!!

2011-03-13T17:22:00.001-07:00

A little {or huge} fact about me is that I am a cancer survivor! At the age of 18 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I fought the cancer with Chemotherapy & radiation...and WON!!

I am one of the lucky ones. Lucky to have been cured. Lucky to have been given the chance to be a Mama. Lucky to be living my beautiful life!...and I am thankful for this everyday!

I am now working with the CITY OF HOPE. Here is why I support City of Hope...for nearly 100 years, City of Hope’s pioneering research has brought the world closer to cures for many life-threatening diseases. They are a leader in the fight to conquer cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

We have all been affected by cancer. I created this Keep Calm poster to raise funds to help find a Cure. Please donate and download this print.

{if you would like the jpg or pdf of this image just leave me a comment with your email}

Please let me know who your donation is dedicated to and I will add their name to our dedication book. Please donate what you can...every dollar counts!!!

like mother...like daughter

2011-03-13T16:08:00.001-07:00

I love to take pictures!!...but I have lots to learn. I have a new 50mm lens and I am obsessed!! So I switched my camera to manual and plan on lots of practice!

As you can see Bella wants in on the picture taking action too.

a leprechaun lunch

2011-03-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

Bella will be hosting a St. Patrick's day party with all of her little friends next Wednesday!!!

Here is the invitation I threw together real quick for the Leprechaun lunch....

{do you love the chevron paper?? Get it from PAIGES OF STYLE here}

A bounce house, Blarney Stone painting & lots of fun GREEN treats should make for a fun filled day for my little Leprechaun!!

Happy 107th birthday to Dr. Seuss!

2011-03-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." -Dr. Seuss

We just LOVE Dr. Seuss in our house! I loved reading his books as a child and now Mark and I love reading them to Bella. Our family favorite is "There's a Wocket in my Pocket".

Bella made this great hat at preschool and wanted me to take her picture with it on...she was very proud!!

Here's one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes...

"You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!" -Dr. Seuss

March Already!!

2011-03-01T07:33:00.001-08:00

Hard to believe March is here already!!

Time to take out the St. Patty's Dat decorations.

Here are a couple for you!!

{click here for this download}

{or here for this one}

Enjoy!

Salted Caramel HEAVEN

2011-02-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

I LOVE caramel!!!...anything caramel!!!

I have very little experience in candy making and ordered this candy thermometer around Christmas time. I thought homemade caramels would be a great way to break it in!

A couple of my girlfriends and I spent the day making homemade marshmallows and salted caramel {we used this recipe}.

Only 6 ingredients...5 if you forget vanilla like us!

Caramel dipping sauce for the kiddos at 235 degrees!

mmm....salt & caramel....AMAZING!

This was our harder batch. 245 degrees.

We wrapped these little bits of LOVE in brown wax paper...cute right!

The softer batch {240ish degrees} was wrapped around homemade marshmallows and sprinkled with just a dash of salty goodness!

They were then packed up in takeout boxes, wrapped in twine, and adorned with a cute little label. I gave them away so fast I forgot to take a picture of the finished product!!

Make some this weekend. I bet you even have most of the ingredients!!

a little irish...

2011-02-17T07:59:00.001-08:00

Top o' the mornin' to ya!!

I am pretty sure I have just a tad of Irish roots in me...but I love St. Patty's Day anyway!

I already have plans to host a little party for all of Bella's friends, usually make some kind of Irish style dinner, send treats to work with mark and wear green of course!!

I know it's a little early for this {i like to jump from one holiday straight to the next}!

But here is a cute print for you...click here for the pdf.

or click the picture for the jpg.

a little Irish blessing for you....

May your troubles be less,
And your blessing be more.
And nothing but happiness,
Come through your door.

xoxo, Stephanie

{feel free to share, just make sure to link directly to my blog. Thanks!}

Gnomeo & Juliet

2011-02-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

We are getting really excited about our 3rd movie theatre experience!! Bella and all of her little playgroup friends are meeting at the movies...

My plan: keep the fingers busy and the tummy full with buttery popcorn & lemonade.

Wish me luck!!

Happy Valentine's day!!!

2011-02-14T11:34:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's day!!!

Love, Me & My SWEET little family

Ladies Weekend!!

2011-02-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

What a fun weekend this is going to be. One of my very BEST friends is turning the big 3-0!!! We are off to San Francisco for a weekend of girl time!! Jaclyn's sister has all of our events planned out for us...looks like we will make the most out of our 48 hours!!

Here is the invitation I made for this weekend...

Mark will be home with Bella for a little father/daughter weekend!! I am sure they will have tons of fun together!!

Valentine's Day Cards...check!

2011-02-08T16:42:00.001-08:00

Alright, the Valentine's Day cards have been dropped in the mail.

One Valentine's Day party down and one to go.

My amazingly talented friend Marla of Sprout Photography took these photos for me in October. Are they too sweet or what!?! I thought they were just perfect to use on a Valentine's Day card.

{check her out HERE}!!

Thank you Marla for the amazing pictures you take! I am excited for my family & friends to get these in there mailbox!!

XOXO

My go to....

2011-02-04T16:08:00.001-08:00

mmmm...this is my favorite orzo salad recipe EVER. I make it for pretty much everything!!

It is super easy and always a hit. I just made it for our playgroup Valentine's Day party at Whitney's house. So much fun!!!

Get the recipe HERE. Giada knows how to make a Tri-Colore Salad!!

I don't measure anymore & I always use dried cranberries instead of cherries.

A LOVE letter

2011-01-31T18:37:00.000-08:00

In our house Valentine's Day is not about expensive gifts or fighting crowds at popular restaurants. We usually spend the evening together at home. Mark always gives me a card that brings me to tears...which I LOVE!! This year I will write the love's of my life a love letter. A letter that will list all of the qualities that make me love them a little more each day.

Here is my template. Feel free to use it if you would like!

Download HERE

I am one lucky Wife & Mama...so I have lots to write!!!

Super Sweet Valentine's advent

2011-01-28T13:41:00.000-08:00

You NEED to make one of the Valentine's advent calendar's designed by my friend Paige

at PAIGES OF STYLE!!! {it's FREE}

Paige is one of my dearest friends. She is a great Mom, super creative, a fabulous cook, stylish...the list could go on for days, but most of all Paige is a wonderful friend.

Just look how cute this is....

ahhh, stripes. polka dots. zig-zags. TOO CUTE!!

{grab them from her blog here}

don't you just love these!!!

Here she has them strung on a fantastic ruffled ribbon!

I will be printing these ASAP! I might even give one to mark {hidden in his car, lunch...} with a reason why I love him all 14 days before Valentine's!!!

Thank you PAIGES OF STYLE for sharing with us!

Give Paige some comment LOVE and tell her I sent you!!

My prints in other blogger's homes!

2011-01-24T17:19:00.000-08:00

I am really excited to see how people are using my prints!!

They look great on these Valentine mantels...

Found my Subway Art print HERE at Star Shine Chic.

& my Keep Calm Print HERE at The Fickle Pickle!!

Just wanted to share! Now I am off to make dinner.

and another...

2011-01-20T17:00:00.000-08:00

Well add this one to the collection. Someone asked for this...

so I thought I would share it with you!!!

Download HERE for the pdf

or click image to download the jpg.

xoxo! It's almost the weekend!!

another treat bag topper...

2011-01-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

Made this for a good friend from high school. She needed one for her son to bring to school.

{pink polka dots aren't his style}

Thought I would share them...If you want one too, click HERE

My sidekick goes to school!!!

2011-01-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe the day has arrived...PRESCHOOL!!!

Bella was so proud to go to school for the first time today!

We walked in, she grabbed her teachers hand and never looked back!

If she had looked back she would have seen huge crocodile tears

streaming down my face. {maybe Mark's too, I didn't look}

Here is the BIG GIRL on her first day

I am going to miss my little sidekick twice a week

{it is amazing how many errands you can run without a toddler though}

Pretty sure we are the proudest parents on the planet!!!

When life gives you LEMONS....

2011-01-15T13:56:00.000-08:00

***MAKE A MARTINI!!!***

{or two! or three..}

My Meyer lemon tree is out of control! Last week I picked, zested and juiced 15 lemons with the help of my friend Becka. I had planned on making Limoncello

but...it takes 90 days! {Crazy...right!}

So with the leftover juice we had Lemon drop martini's!! I was shaking them up as Mark walked in the door...he was a happy hubby!

Here's how i made them...

pour in:

4ish shots of lemon juice

8 or 9 cubes of sugar

6ish shots of vodka

Rub a lemon wedge around the glass &

dip in sugar. {i like LOTS of sugar}

add ice. shake & pour!

These are tart and deelish!!

{Warning: these drinks are sneaky...one was plenty for me!}

Cute Little treat bag toppers!!

2011-01-11T23:01:00.001-08:00

I made treats in snack size baggies for Christmas and I thought I would do it again.

I am sure we will get the Playgroup together for Valentine's and this will be

so fun for Bella to give all of her little friends!!

This one is perfect to fill with Hershey Hugs & kisses!

download here :{2 tags on 8.5x11}

and this one is perfect for any sweet treat!!

download here :{2 tags on 8.5x11}

Can't wait to hand out these little bags!! I will be sure to post the pictures of

Bella and her super cute little friends enjoying them!!

**If you would like them emailed to you just

follow me

& leave me your email in a comment!**

RESCUED!!!

2011-01-07T15:27:00.001-08:00

AS SEEN ON TV...Success!!!

A couple weeks ago my vacuum hose started to break apart. We taped it back together and failed! So it sat broken in my garage for 3 weeks.

Well, luckily my Mom never sleeps. She sees all of the informercials and says to me on Tuesday, "You need Mighty Tape". As an Amazon addict I hop on the computer and see Rescue Tape. Order with free shipping & hope for the best...

{Before}

{After}

Can you believe this!!! I had to share!!!!

$189 + shipping SAVED!

Is it Valentine's day yet.....

2011-01-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

valentine printable free valentines day decor valentine print cute valentines day picture free valentines subway art

Still working on taking down the massive amounts of Christmas decorations...

and getting excited for Valentine's day!!

Here are a few decorations i whipped up today.

Feel FREE to download these...just follow me or leave a comment

so I know you stopped by. :) Thanks!

{i know, everyone is doing these...but i had to do it}

had this printed on 8x10 styrene to display on my picture easel.

Get the pdf HERE

My valentine subway art

{this one i plan to put in a frame}

{just right click to download the .jpg of this print}

xoxo

Our Christmas Traditions

2011-01-03T14:35:00.001-08:00

We LOVE Christmas in our house!! Here is a peak into our Christmas traditions...

some are old and some are new!!!!

TAMALE MAKING!!!!

{old tradition}

Tracking Santa on the computer.

Making Santa his cookies.

Making reindeer food & sprinkling it on the grass.

Peeking at the tree Christmas morning...{Bella sees SANTA}

Walking Santa out and saying "bye, bye" to the Elf on the Shelf!

{i sure am going to miss that "Elfie"}

Time to open presents!!!

This was the best Christmas EVER! Bella { Mark & I too} didn't want it to end. I hope that we can continue our traditions for years to come and one day Bella will do them with her own children!!!

Bella's 1st recital!

2010-12-26T16:11:00.001-08:00

I have dreamed about this day since I found out I was having a baby girl!!...and it was better than I expected. I cried 4 times and pretty much sobbed while watching my little ballerina take the stage {she was very proud & so was I}!

She got the royal treatment on her special day...

Her biggest fans were there to support her...

Dinner in Bella's honor at Olive Garden....

{of course I made her some mini bunt cake toppers and a place card}

Thanks to those who wanted to be a part of Bella's special day!

What a lucky ballerina to have so many people in her life that love her so very much!!

Here is the youtube video if you want to take a look...

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=mama2isabella#p/a/u/0/sOHLPLvryPU

Cookies & more Cookies!!

2010-12-20T10:11:00.001-08:00

A fun filled week of COOKIES!!!!

Tuesday: Cookie Exchange

Wednesday: Cookie Exchange

Thursday: Cookie decorating party

Every year I host my Playgroup Mama's Cookie & Gift Exchange! We always have a great time!

I make Ina's Garten's grown up mac and cheese...mmmm!

But the STARS of the show are the fabulous cookies the Mama's share......

this year I made Oreo Balls.

If you want the PDF to my Oreo balls tag...just go HERE.

{they are made to fit over a snack sized baggie}

What a fun tradition! I hope it will continue for years to come!!

Merry ALMOST Christmas!!!!

The hubby's christmas party!

2010-12-13T14:51:00.001-08:00

Party season is in FULL swing!!! We hosted the Paramount Equity Holiday party at our house this year. We had a great time. Here are a few pictures from a really fun night!!

The great people.

{do you spy the Elf on the Shelf?}

Fun & festive food

and GREAT helpers!!!!

{everyone LOVED my Dad the bartender!!!}

Next up....Playgroup Cookie exchange!!!

Santa is coming to town!

2010-12-09T14:05:00.001-08:00

This really is the best time of year!

Bella was so excited to see Santa Clause today!! The Elf on the Shelf has been keeping a good eye on her this year...which makes for a very good girl!!

All she wants for Christmas this year...a curly lollipop!

Bella's Bee Day party!!

2010-12-02T15:48:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe my little baby bee is THREE!!! Time sure does fly when you are having fun. We had such a great time throwing this party for our sweet Belski!

The FAMILY!

The FOOD!

The FUN!!

and THE BIRTHDAY BEE!!!

Happy 3rd birthday Isabella Jayne!!!

And a Holiday Cocktail Party!!

2010-11-10T16:04:00.000-08:00

So exciting!!! I get to throw my husband's holiday party too!

ahhhh....I LOVE this time of year!!!

This is the invitation I designed!! Hope they like it.....

One busy BEE!!

2010-11-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...my favorite party of the year!! Bella's Birthday!!

The theme this year is... BUMBLEBEE PARTY

Here is a peak at the invites i designed!

photo by: Sprout Photography. check them out! www.sproutphotographyonline.com

I had them printed on scalloped 5x7 paper. Super cute!

I have been busy working on all the little details. This queen bee has a lot of work to do

{but i sure do love it}!

caterpillar Princess update a little late

2010-11-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

a BEAUTIFUL butterfly!!!

This was a very exciting day in our house!! We were just leaving for dance class and heard the butterfly fly to the lid of the jar!!! We had so much fun taking her outside and setting her free!!! This was one of those moments I will NEVER forget!!!

Our newest PET!

2010-09-15T13:28:00.001-07:00

Let me introduce you to......

{Caterpillar Princess}

She was found last weekend in my garden! We thought this would be a fun learning experience for Bella!! We built her a home, gave her a name, feed her everyday {she sure can eat} & are excited to watch her turn in to a beautiful butterfly!

I caught Bella telling Caterpillar Princess "You will be a chrysalis soon" and then kissed the glass jar...so sweet!

My garden

2010-08-03T21:20:00.001-07:00

I LOVE my garden!!...Onions anyone?

The best part is getting to grow my garden with Bella. She is so excited to watch our plants grow. Her passion is definitely for the strawberries...if you have been a visitor in the past few months you have been given Bella's tour of the strawberries. Every morning I wake up to... "Mama, can I go see my strawberries?" but she also loves to pick tomatoes!

We are making lots of salsa, tomato sauce & anything using onions around here!! Bella's PUMPKINS are flowering...so exciting!! Going to help them pollinate to guarantee pumpkins this year...a little pumpkin love!!

Diaper Wipe Case!!

2010-06-29T15:29:00.001-07:00

This is a fun NO-SEW project that I love to give new mom's!!!

I made this one for my friend Whitney!!
**I forgot to take pictures along the way...so click the "this & that" button to follow the tutorial**

FREE custom cards!

2010-06-21T14:23:00.001-07:00

This is such a great deal!!! You have to do it!!!

I did birthday cards too!!

This is what the back looks like... I didn't pay extra for color, but you can. :)

I am really happy with the quality. All you pay for is the shipping!!

check it out@

http://www.vistaprint.com/full-color-postcards.aspx?xnav=LeftItem&xnid=AdvertisingampMarketing&dng=1986090

Happy BIRTHDAY DaDa!!

2010-06-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

Today is Mark's 32nd Birthday!!! and I want it to be special!

So I made him a birthday banner and sign for his bathroom...woke up at 1am so it would be ready when he got up for work.

Made Peanut Butter crispy pops dipped in chocolate.

Then surprised Dada at work with the treats, lunch and balloons!!

Happy Birthday My Love. Hope you are having a great day!!

1/2 birthday's are fun!!!

2010-06-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

What a fun tradition!!

Last year Bella's best friend Rylee joined us!!

I was very proud of my first "1/2 birthday" cake!!!

This year we made Bella her 1/2 cake, she wanted mushrooms & pizza for dinner and we ate it all outside as a picnic! It is hard to believe that 2 1/2 years has passed already....

I sure do LOVE that Belski of mine!

Harvest the artichokes

2010-05-21T14:06:00.001-07:00

I am one proud artichoke Mama!!

mmmmm....cooked in chicken broth, water, garlic and herbs!! And i made a deelish dip too!!

greek yogurt, it's a dilly seasoning, Jane's crazy salt, garlic powder. Yummy & healthy!

all by myself!!

2010-05-19T10:05:00.001-07:00

I DID IT!!! I made my first invitation on PS Elements!! I am excited to host this intimate brunch with a few of Whitney's closest girlfriends.

The theme: blue & white, a nautical look!!!

I will be sure to post pictures!

My FAVORITE banana bread...try it!

2010-05-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Most IMPORTANT..... cook in a 9x13 and 8x8! mmmm....perfectly cooked squares of yumminess! No burned edges. No raw center. :)

Here is the recipe:

1 1/3 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup +2 Tbs brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil (i use canola)

3 or 4 REALLY ripe bananas

2 Tbs Sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat sugar and eggs for 10 minutes. Add the bananas, sour cream & vanilla. Mix. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold in the nuts. Pour into greased 9x13 & 8x8 glass dishes (or just 9x13 if you want the pieces thicker). Cook about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on the counter. Enjoy!

I heart my CRICUT!

2010-05-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

Had fun making this banner with my friend Rachel. She will use it at her cousins bridal shower this weekend! I also made her some food labels and cupcake toppers!!!

Should be pretty cute!

So exciting....

2010-04-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Well I booked my first trunk show...ahhhh...a little nervous!!! But I just LOVE their stuff. Check it out...just too cute!!! www.stelladot.com/sites/stephanieschellhase

I am so excited to have a little something to call mine!

***I just love a reason to throw a good party!***

Happy Easter!!!

2010-04-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

We are excited for The Easter Bunny and the egg hunts around here!!!! This is the Easter card I sent out this year....

Card made by: www.onyourtime.etsy.com

Just got my Photoshop Elements in the mail!! Can't wait to make my own cards!!!

Have a very Happy Easter!!

Bow hanger tutorial

2010-03-31T09:03:00.001-07:00

I have always wanted to make one of these! Rylee (my daughter's bff) turning 2 was the perfect reason!!!

This is how I did it....

Bought this wood at Michael's and sprayed it black.

Used my beloved Cricut to cut the "R" out of a roll of wrapping paper.

Traced the oval on pink paper for the face of the bow holder.

Mod Podged everything on.

Cut about 14 inches of coordinating ribbon. Hot glued them together and glued the small bow to the bottom.

Thumb tacked (that was all I had) the long ribbon to the bottom and looped the short piece on the top for a hanger.

Here it is!!! I hope it looks good in Rylee's room!!!

This craft is participating in:

FUN confetti easter eggs

2010-03-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

This is a fun & EASY little Easter activity!!! Confetti filled easter eggs!!

Here is how you do it...

Poke holes on both ends of the egg (i just used the tip of my knife). Make sure one end is large enough for the confetti. Blow out the insides and wash.

Color the eggs. (1/2 cup boiling water, 15 drops of food coloring & tsp of vinegar)

Don't let your 2 year old play with eggs....

I put confetti in a ziplock and cut the end....worked out quite nice!

Mod Podge a piece of tissue onto the holes.

Let dry. Then crack over your hubby's head when he least expects it!!

This post participating in:

My new FRIEND!!

2010-03-24T17:31:00.001-07:00

Ahhhh....this stuff is a lifesaver!! I left rust spots ALL OVER my stone and backyard concrete. I mixed a little of this magic powder with some water, made a paste and scrubbed. Like magic, the rust was gone!!!! Then i moved on to my stainless sink....it sparkles! Next stop, the rust spot in Bella's tub.

I love finding new products!!! I had to make room in my heart for both this and my Shark Steam Mop (can't get enough of that thing)!!

SPRING has SPRUNG!!!

2010-03-20T17:19:00.001-07:00

Ahhhh...the new buds of spring....

For me that means lugging big bags of fertilizer around the yard, pulling weeds and preparing the cabana for the warm weather.

Mark and I decided on a trip to Home Depot for a planting project. Surprisingly, we worked very well together!!

We potted 5 new plants and I think they turned out just lovely!!!!

note: Don't spill nitrogen/iron fertilizer on the concrete or stone...yikes!! I will tell you all about it in my next post. I did make a new friend out of the experience!!!

Crayons...Pretty Please!!!

2010-03-18T14:22:00.001-07:00

I want to get crafty with crayons!!! San Diego friends, can I have your old, broken crayons???

You will be rewarded!

St. Patty's Day PARTY. Success!!

2010-03-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

The FRIENDS.

The FUN.

The FOOD.

(Free topper download from http://www.tomkatstudio.blogspot.com)...Love her!

The TABLE. The BANNER.

A WEE bit O Fun was had by all!! Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

(now for a good nap)!

Kool-Aid Playdough...in GREEN of course!

2010-03-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Bella has invited all of her friends over for a St. Patty's day Party!! So we decided to make Kool-Aid Playdough!!! So easy and so fun!! Here is the recipe. I printed 1 for each kiddo and their Mommy (at Costco) stapled to a baggie to take home with some of our homemade playdough!

We are excited to try different flavors too!

This activity featured on:

GOOD SNAILS!!

2010-03-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Let the biological warfare begin!

Our yard has been taken over by my worst enemy....BROWN SNAILS! So, Mark and I headed out and picked up carnivorous snails and spread them all over the yard. I spent last night laying in bed dreaming of these pricey little snails eating my enemy and laying tons of "good snail" eggs!

We bought our snails at : www.goodsnails.com

The Hands-On Housewife

BABIES! BABIES! BABIES!

Happy New Year!!!!!

For Jaclyn!!

merry christmas!!!

next year maybe....

I'm Back!!!

Father's day

A card for Dada

Quick. Easy. Yummy!

For Ms. Baldwin!

3 1/2 already.....

My girls are getting BIG!!

My little star!

For the mama's!!

Welcome to the family!!

Got eggs?

SomeBUNNY loves you!!!

The perfect Saturday!

KEEP CALM for Easter

Just a WEE bit late....

IRISH Potato Soup Success!

Help find a cure!!!

like mother...like daughter

a leprechaun lunch

Happy 107th birthday to Dr. Seuss!

March Already!!

Salted Caramel HEAVEN

a little irish...

Gnomeo & Juliet

Happy Valentine's day!!!

Ladies Weekend!!

Valentine's Day Cards...check!

My go to....

A LOVE letter

Super Sweet Valentine's advent

My prints in other blogger's homes!

and another...

another treat bag topper...

My sidekick goes to school!!!

When life gives you LEMONS....

Cute Little treat bag toppers!!

RESCUED!!!

Is it Valentine's day yet.....

Our Christmas Traditions

Bella's 1st recital!

Cookies & more Cookies!!

The hubby's christmas party!

Santa is coming to town!

Bella's Bee Day party!!

And a Holiday Cocktail Party!!

One busy BEE!!

caterpillar Princess *update* a little late

Our newest PET!

My garden

Diaper Wipe Case!!

FREE custom cards!

Happy BIRTHDAY DaDa!!

1/2 birthday's are fun!!!

Harvest the artichokes

all by myself!!

My FAVORITE banana bread...try it!

I heart my CRICUT!

So exciting....

Happy Easter!!!

Bow hanger tutorial

FUN confetti easter eggs

My new FRIEND!!

SPRING has SPRUNG!!!

Crayons...Pretty Please!!!

St. Patty's Day PARTY. Success!!

Kool-Aid Playdough...in GREEN of course!

GOOD SNAILS!!

caterpillar Princess update a little late