Friday, September 30, 2011

The one thing that has changed my world as of late is this little bundle of joy!

Being only 1 point for every 2 ounces = a whole lot of turkey! I usually just cut 6 ounces for 3 points, slice it up, sprinkle some salt, add some veggies and I'm ready to go. Or on other days I will cut smaller portions and have a great sandwich or use it for snacking. Either way it has really helped me get through this week.

This week, rocked! I have done really well and have lost 1.5 :) So excited about that!! I know my weight loss will be slow seeing as I'm almost to my goal. I'll be happy with anything in the negative column.

I have been so busy this week filling orders and trying to prepare Maddie's birthday party. I'm sure that helped keep my mind off of the bad stuff. I guess that could have gone either way, too, since I am well known for stress eating. But, here's to keeping it positive and diving into week two :)

WIWW

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Those of you that know me as in see me daily, weekly, or monthly. Know that I usually hang out in sweats or pj bottoms pretty much everyday. I mean, seriously, all I do is crochet and work around the house so whats the need to get dressed up? Well lately I'm feeling like a total slob. I have closet full of fun things and only wear them occasionally. And you know its bad when your Hubby points it out.

I need to change and I'm going to use one of my favorite bloggers to help me. Lindsey over at The Pleated Poppy came up with an amazing idea called "What I Wore Wednesday". Here is a recent post from her blog that helps explain:

hey friends!

welcome again to wiww (“what i wore wednesday”), where i use all of you to keep me accountable to getting out of my pj’s and getting dressed every day. i am honored that so many of you have taken the plunge with me in this adventure. if you’re a little leery of linking up, its hard at first but gets much easier as the weeks go by. same goes for taking self portraits. its amazing how embarrassed i can get all by myself! but it, too, gets easier. join in – you’ll find you will get a little more creative with your clothes, and you’ll feel better about yourself than if you stayed unshowered and undressed all day – i promise!

So, today, I am starting this challenge and every Wednesday I will post what I wore and then link up to The Pleated Poppy to show I participated. Hopefully this will help me be accountable to becoming more fashionista instead of frumpy momma.

Wish me luck and better yet join in the fun!!

2 comments wiww

Tuesday Tips

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

As soon as someone knows that I crochet the first thing they say is, "that is so hard". You know I used to be one of those people. I started crocheting, or what I thought was crocheting, when my Grandma Jacobson showed me how to chain around the age of 10. And you know what...I could chain with the best of them. I didn't realize til much later that there was a lot more to crocheting than I originally thought.

Wanting to actually make something (like hats) I knew I would have to learn how to crochet. One of the best resources I found was YouTube. There is nothing like a video to show you exactly what you need to be doing. Especially since my wonderfully talented Grandma is no longer around to show me.

Many years and video's later there are still some things that I struggle with. One was the "Magic Ring", "Adjustable Ring" or "Magic Loop". Have you ever fought and struggled and ripped and re-ripped both your yarn and hair, trying to make your starting round neat and tidy with a center hole as small as possible? Well I have. And maybe, just maybe, that unsightly center hole has even kept you from crocheting in the round at all. Well, no more. Now you will be armed with the trusty (some might even say magic) adjustable ring and you will be dancing circles around those circles.

Be forewarned—once you have made an adjustable ring, you will never be the same. You may never go back to other ways of making a ring. I know I haven’t. I found this video and it literally changed my life. It's short and to the point and will have you re-thinking the start of every "in the round" project.

Enjoy!!

Monday's Discoveries

Monday, September 26, 2011

Great Finds To Start Your Week

Monday, Monday it’s almost time, don't be late!

The dash is on to decorate!

Among other things.

Sorry but my rhyming skills are only good for two lines, lol
If Mondays are not usually your favorite day,
I thought I'd make them a little brighter.
Each Monday I post a great new find.
With the help of Etsy and my new addiction Pinterest, of course.

This Monday it’s....

Crayon Initials

What a fun little "frugal" project this is. It would be great as teachers gifts or would be super cute in a child's bedroom. You should definitely head over to the Frugal Life Project for all the details. I just love peoples creativity!!

Leave a Comment Kids, Monday Discoveries

Giddy up ya'll...let's dance!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

The annual Dixie Round-up just happened to fall on Miss Maddie's Birthday this year and boy did she want one whopper of a present. She wanted to ride in the arena before the rodeo. She has heard many stories of me doing that when I was her age and so she was determined to see it happen for her as well. In the last couple of months she has been able to ride the horses on bridle. We are so very proud of her and must say she looks darn cute on a horse. Because she was so new to riding by herself, I didn't know if Papa J would go for it. I told her she was old enough to ask him so she took her big beautiful imploring eyes to Papa J and he was all in. Not without his trepidations, of course. Love his horses, but they aren't usually calm when it comes to things like this. He wanted to make sure I would be there and would help if I was needed. I did not want to ride in front of all the town, but for Maddie how could I say no. It was her 11th birthday after all, lol.

Needless to say all went as well as could be expected. They weren't able to stay out there long because of the horses becoming a bit to excited, but she was happy either way. She's already planning next year's ride and how she'll be able to stay out even longer, lol. Gotta love the young at heart!

Along with the Round-up comes the rodeo parade and for the first time we had someone actually in it. We made the hard decision to switch Jayna from Westside Ballet to Super Steppers and the consequences of that are endless performances. I don't mind to much, actually, because it suits her personality far better. Well first on the performance docket was the parade. They had the cutest theme and Jayna was just so excited. A little worried about not getting any candy, but after a lot of assurances that we would all share the spoils, she was more than willing to jump on the float.

As she passed us I took about 25 pictures and this is the only one that she actually was looking at the crowd. The older dancers were performing on the street behind the float and it was like they put her into a trance. No waving, no smiling, nothing. She could not stop staring at them. When I asked her about it afterwards she just said that they were just so cool and she couldn't wait to dance just like them. It was so cute and I can't wait for that either!!

Fun purchase

Saturday, September 24, 2011

I have had a few ideas floating around in my head recently for some new products. The final step is searching for the perfect yarn do go along with them. Well, think I may have found them!

I'm thinking a few beanies and a couple of headbands are in the queue. I can't wait to get started and I'll be even more excited to see them photographed. The question remains...where will I put it. I have yarn tucked in every cranny of this house. Hopefully, it won't stay put for long, lol!

1 comment Products

Fit Friday

Friday, September 23, 2011

I have been such a slacker lately, but I really want to get back to my Fit Friday posts. I recently made a new discovery while at Weight Watchers the other day. Yes I had a little too much fun this summer and have a bit of weight to lose. 10 lbs to be exact, yikes! When did that happen :(

Anyway, I'm back to the grind and back to Weight Watchers. Now on to my discovery. I wish I could take the credit, but nope it belongs to somebody else, but I am absolutely in love with it. It is a recipe for a 2 point cake. It is quick, it is easy, and it is delicious!! All you do is take one box of Angel food cake mix (off brand is best) and one box of any other flavor of cake mix. I have been using German Chocolate, but my friends have all tried other flavors ie lemon, strawberry, vanilla and say they're just as good. Mix the cakes together...dry, and pour the mixture into a container. This mix will last you awhile so make sure it shuts tight.

Now to make the cake you get a mug and spray it with Pam and then take 1/3 cup of the dry mix and 2 tbsp of water and mix them together right in the mug. Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 1 minute, done. That's all.

I usually put a little cool whip on top and if it's Sunday (my extra points day) I will add a 1/2 cup ice cream, yum!!

Giveaway to Help Treasured by Holly get more Followers and Facebook Likes

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Here's how to win:

The more friends you refer, the more you could win

Be the person who refers the most fans and win

Top Prize:
$40 Gift Certificate to
Treasured by Holly

Runner Up:
$20 Gift Card to
Treasured by Holly

You have until September 30th to be the person that refers the most people. Make sure they know to like the page and become a follower and not just your comments.

Once it's over count up your totals and let me know by leaving a comment below.

Good Luck!

Here is the link to Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/treasuredbyholly

A new place to sleep

Thursday, September 22, 2011

We were doing a bit of remodeling this summer so the kids were pretty much kicked out of their bedrooms. Having only the Family room to play in certainly put their imaginations to the test. The kids enlisted The Hubby to help them build a little fort to sleep. It became pretty elaborate to say the least, but the kids had a blast. They slept in it til I couldn't take it anymore and tore it down. I'm such a mean mom...at least I was that day, lol.

Headband in Light Sage

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I had a custom order the other day and I absolutely fell in love with it. Just because I own a lot of colors doesn't mean that I have seen them all made up in to wonderful creations. This tying Headband is made in Light Sage. It is a discontinued color so I have limited stock and I'm kicking myself for not trying to order more before it was gone. Oh well, I will just have to enjoy it while I can ;)

Her full order was just as adorable and I can only imagine how they will all look in a picture

Go Scouts

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

This summer I was able to attend the Scout Day Camp in our area. I am a cub scout leader (yet to get my lovely shirt) and am thoroughly enjoying spending this time with Bryce. This was my first Day Camp and it was so much fun! Hot...but fun ;)

They had the Jr ROTC there to take the kids through an obstacle course which I think the kids had the most fun. They learned about safety and had team building exercises. I was so glad to be able to attend and can't wait til next year...GO SCOUTS!!!

Bryce working is way through the course. So proud of him!!!

During the team building exercises they had to get these boards across the "hot lava" and then bring there team across. Bryce ended up knocking his nose on the board and tried to be so brave and not cry in front of the other boys. He asked me for a hug so that he could hide his tears and when he felt better he turned around and tried again. I was so proud of him and was even more thankful that he still wants my hugs in public, lol.

Nicole (another leader) and I roped in to helping the boys assemble their first aid kits...

and yes I did end up with a sunburn on the backs of my arms and neck, great fun!

Picture perfect...

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Like the pic? I do!!! This is from one of the many vacations we took this summer. This one happens to be up at Bryce Canyon, Utah. The Hubby's work purchased a toy hauler for employee use so we made the trek north to enjoy the weekend. We invited Papa J and the horses to make the weekend complete. It is so beautiful up there and if you haven't been I definitely suggest making it a priority. We hiked, rode horses and relaxed. It was the perfect way to spend a summer weekend!!! Get ready for picture overload ;)

We went hiking along one of the equestrian trails and so these gnarly looking trees. Coolest thing ever!!!

Jayna along with the Hubby being silly. Took like 5 shots and each one was worse. They couldn't quite grasp the concept ;)

The one I want blown up for my wall...

Up in the canyon...beautiful!!

The kids getting a kick out of a cow pie, lol

While Maddie, Noah and I stayed to ride horses with Papa J, the Hubby took the other two to enjoy a hike in the canyon. I just love when I turn the camera over to him and see what they comes up with.

It was such a fun experience. The kids were a little nervous up in the canyon. Some of those drop offs were a little intimidating, but they overcame their fears and made the most of it. Better yet the trailer was like Christmas in August. Much better than a tent :)