Jill McDonald Design

So I was googling around just now and ran on to the coolest graphic artist Jill McDonald. Jill is national recognized and extremely talented. Her art is mostly found designed for kids from bedding, wall art, cards, and books.

Her work can be found from teen bedding at Target to illustrations in Halmark Cards and Gift Wrap. I fell completely in love with the colorful whimsy that her style holds.

I bet a lot of you will recognize her designs. I know I did - from her work she has done with Land of Nod but I just didn't take the time before to look into this awesome unique talented artist, Jill McDonald.

Visit her website here. Visit her blog here

Following is just a glimpse of her designs :) Enjoy!

To My Sweet...

Carti Girl - Good Night

Macarti Rae your Eyes Shine Bright!

Twinkle Twinkle little Light.

Bless your Heart and Lay your Head.

Cuddle up, It's time for Bed.

Fold your Hands, Don't make a Peep.

May the Lord Bless and Keep.

Tomorrow is a Brand New Day,

My Precious little Carti Rae.

Close your Eyes, Don't make a Sound.

Dream a Dream that's Heaven Bound.

Little one I Love You So,

From your Curls Down to your Toe.

Good Night, Good Night my little one.

Tomorrow we'll have lots of Fun!

Always Always Forever More,

Carti Girl I shall Adore!

Love, Aunt Sam

Kitchen Tips and Tricks

From The F.U.N place:

Go check it out! Lots of fun tips and tricks!


Kitchen

For more effective dish washing, add a few tablespoons of vinegar along with the dish washing detergent when washing dishes. The vinegar cuts the grease and leaves dishes sparkling.

To clean up spills in your oven, sprinkle the spills immediately with salt. When the oven has cooled, brush away the burnt-on food with a damp sponge.

To disinfect smelly sponges, wash sponge thoroughly, then microwave it while it is wet, for a short period. When you see steam from the sponge, the bacteria in the sponge will be dead. Remove carefully, it will be hot! Wash the sponge thoroughly before use. **Make sure the sponge has no metal components!**

To remove hard-water and lime build-up in a teapot or kettle, pour in two cups of vinegar and bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, then rinse well.

To remove mineral deposits in a tea pot or burnt spots on a coffee pot, put some ice cubes, cut-up lemon, and salt with a tad water and swish around and let sit overnight.

To whiten an old stained sink , poor a half cup of salt in it and then scrub it with a lemon. Let it stand for a few minutes and rinse.

To remove skid marks on linoleum rub the spot with toothpaste before washing the floor.

To keep your plastic containers from getting stained from tomato based foods, rub the inside with vegetable oil before placing the food in the container.

Kitchen surfaces: Mix in spray bottle, 1 part ammonia to 3 parts water. Or try diluted bleach solution in a spray bottle. It will remove stains AND disinfect.

Removing kitchen and food odors: Soak pure vanilla on a cotton ball and place in a saucer. Put the saucer in the car or refrigerator to remove odors. Keep cotton ball out of reach of children as it contains some alcohol.

Odor producing mold and bacteria in garbage cans: sprinkle 1/2 cup Borax in the bottom of the garbage can.

Cleaning coffee maker: Pour straight vinegar into it as if you are making the coffee, no filter is need. Turn coffee maker on as if you were making a pot of coffee. Repeat this with a new batch of vinegar until it runs clear of calcium deposits.

My Saturday Night

I, tonight, am home alone... with Pauly, Daphnie and myself. I had a good day today - we had our monthly Blast from the Past play date and I am so glad we started doing that. Tonight, unlike last night, I hope is relaxing and quiet... Ben has a friend in from Portland, his best friend Raul and the boys are out on the town. I have Enchanted from Netflix and I'm not sure if I'll get to it. I've been working a lot on my her household blog. I also wanted to start making a weekly calender for us that would encompass cleaning, outings and regular scheduling items. We'll see how much I'll really get done as Saturday Night Live is on tonight and loves me some SNL plus my toes could use a pedi... oooh that sounds fab!

My toddler says "No!" to me!

So lately my little one has been picking up on that brutal word "NO!" Every time he says it the hair stands up on the back of my neck. This kid is active, smart and persistent. He is constantly getting up on the dining room chairs, into the stereo/dvd player and grabbing any electronic (remote, phone or plug-in) and of course what do I say... "Pauly, NO!" Where do you think he gets it lady? I take him away from the situation and he is right back in it 2 seconds later! Very busy little guy! Then again I'm back with, "I just told you NO-Pauly!". I"m sure he heard is at least 100 times a day from me. How can I expect him not to say it if I can't stop saying it.

So, I've been really trying to think about what I'm saying and try and be positive when I say it... For example if he is getting into something he shouldn't then I try and remember to say... "Let's play over here with these books." - or in some way leave out words like don't, no, not and so on. I think it is a good thing that he understands yes and no just for basic communicating skills and the realization of his separate little being but, I appreciate better manners other than just "NO!" all the time which is where it seems like we're headed soon. I know that he likes that he can actually say the word correctly for one thing - just like when he says "mama or dada" and for sure he likes the sense of power and making a decision for himself.

So instead I'm trying to teach Pauly to say "No, thank you" when he finds it necessary to disagree or decline. We'll keep working on this and I'm sure there will always be something we are working on until the day he is ready to go off to college. Hopefully he turns out right! ;0)

4th File 4th Picture

My friend Krista tagged me for this game. The way I understand it is your supposed to go to your picture file on your computer go to the 4th file within the files and then on the 4th file go to the 4th picture.

This is a picture that I took - I think Pauly was about 3 or 4 months old. He is so darn cute.

Martha Stewart Hostess Quiz

Are you a good hostess... Martha Stewart has a quiz you can take... click here. Have Fun!

Here is what mine said...

A 4 yr old's wisdom

I wanted to share with everyone something my brother-in-law Brian wrote up about his daughter Bailey (my niece) in his notes on facebook yesterday. I immediately had to ask if I could share with my blog readers.

I hope that it speaks to you the way it did me.

Once again I find myself late at night reminiscing and actually in this case recalling events from just days ago. Things are pretty busy around a ranch at calving time feed, check,tag,record,mend fence..... Well the other day we had to pull a baby in. It's mother rejected it. The only two around here, that was excited about this little event; was Bailey and Birch.(my four year old girl and my two year old boy.) Bailey could not wait to go out and help me feed little "Kobe" as we now call him. So I mixed up a bottle and headed out with her in tow. Her eyes were dancing as she checked him out her facial expressions were that of pure excitement and joy. She said things like he is "so cute" and "so perfect." She also asked about his mommy and I explained how his mommy didn't like him and that was just not good enough for her. But that little moment of confusion didn't detract from the rest of the time as she ran with Kobe and became good friends with him.As we made our way back from the barn across the barnyard. I was holding her little hand in mine and she was on cloud nine she was so full of energy. But very quite she suddenly stopped looked up at me and uttered words that stopped this heart hardened cowboy dead in his tracks and brought him to a slump on the ground in the barnyard. "Dad I love you and I don't want you to die" WOW! As i caught my breath and my composure; i found myself asking God for the words to explain this thing she had brought up. I could have just brushed it off or gave her a token proud cowboy response that "I wouldn't die." But i felt a moment like this deserved attention and a honest conversation. However the tears were running down my face and I could hardly breath. Me in my cowboy hat, boots, spurs, sitting in the barnyard a crying mess with a four year old girls words to blame and her ears waiting for a response.I told her daddy is going die someday honey but when i do I'm going to see Jesus and live with him. And someday you can come and live with us. This little girl looked at me smiled and said to me exactly what i and everyone needs to be reminded of. She said "Dad Jesus Loves us all of us." Ok by now I'm not in tears I'm an absolute wreck!! I've never cried so hard in my life as I set there and she ran to the yard to play on the swing God began to speak to me. Basically no theologian no preacher, religious organization, author, or professor. Could have spoke as profound truth as I had just been witness. If only we as adults could disentangle our minds from this worlds; theology, dogma, worries, political correctness, and just see God and trust him like a child does. If we could keep our doctrine so simplified in our minds that it is as simple as three words. And if we could be as joyful as a four year old little girl on a warm winters day with her daddy. My prayer is that all would come to know and trust that Jesus loves us.

By: Brian B.

Mark 10:15 Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.Romans5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Bring in the Crops!

Our message this last Sunday was about standing on the sidelines or getting in to play ball.

Are you going to plant the seed so that it can grow or are you going to just let the opportunity pass you by. I have a little bit of hard time with this at first but when the opportunity arises I am excited to tell a friend or acquaintance about Jesus. I wouldn't say I'm the best at it and the whole time I'm always searching for the right verses and thoughts and just praying that the Lord gives me the words to make it a easier to understand and not as intimidating as it can seem to an unbeliever.

I do have a friend who knows about Christ - but she just hasn't caught the message quite yet about what he has done for her and what he can continue to do in her life if she is to turn her life over to him completely. I do get frustrated a little as she is such a little light of her own and I know she would be such a great little light for Christ also! It isn't my timing and I've done my part with this so I will just sit back, continue to do what I have been and that is show her through my words and example and maybe someday she'll accept Christ as her Savior.

We are his and only we can choose to use our fruits from him for good or just sit on the sidelines.

My mom and dad raised us girls to always shine for Christ and always stand up for what we believe in. That is something I'm so thankful for. This is something I was confident in doing even when I was very young. My parents are great examples of this as my mom has just the right words and tone to remind you that HE is always there and how much he loves you and to rely on him. As my dad is a recognized messenger to everyone he is around and with him there is no hesitation when it comes to shareing the ultimate gift of Grace. He is really approachable and has a kind way of speaking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ephesians 2:3-5

3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful naturea and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

HGTV: Dream Home

So... Just wanted to inform you all I may be moving to Sonoma, California soon! I know mom is like what? Sonomoa! Well... don't get upset too soon... I have been applying every day at HGTV.com for their 2009 Dream Home Giveaway and I intend to win! I'm telling you it is exactly my Dream House! Designed with elements in this house that I have only "dreamed" about! I've always wanted like the wrap around patio and a cozy colorful yet classy interior. A sunny nook, double oven (you know things I'm sure we all dream about) oooooh la la!

I've been warning Ben off and on to get ready to move and I'm not sure that he is quite there yet but I told him if I win this I'll move there with Pauly and you'll have to come visit win you can. Look at these pics of the Dream Home and tell me if you wouldn't make the same decision! Sonoma is wine country and Ben wants to be a cheese maker (well he did last week any way - he is just being silly) but really everyone knows wine and cheese are the best combination. See it is meant to be. Just so you know you are all invited to the House Warming Party! :)

Here are my favorite pics...

The HGTV Dream Home 2009

The Beautiful Blue Sun Room!

The Classy Formal Dining Room!

The Bold and Beautiful Kitchen (2 islands!)

The Breakfast Nook... "Crepes anyone?"

The TV Room! "I'm watching Grey's Anatomy, Ben!"

Yes ma... this is where you would stay...

The Perfect Guest Bedroom!

A room for my boy!

Can't you just imagine folding clothes in here.... ahhhhh!

The Utility Room!

And last but certainly not least... the Master Bedroom... See I told you it was Perfect!

HGTV Showdown: Battle of Design Stars

I don't know when this Showdown first aired but I caught this last night on HGTV (one of my most favorite channels) This competition was between designers Kim Myles (Myles of Style) and Matt Locke against Jennifer Bertrand and Todd Davis. Their mission was to makeover a room that was the room of two sisters. And their Mama and Daddy were picking the winner! This is the Raspberry Room designed by Jennifer and Todd. Todd designed the window treatment that... believe it or not... folded down into a little tent like get-away for their girls that they could sit in and play in. I just fell in love with this room. I love the magnetic paint on the walls with the flowers so they could put up magnetic letters, I adore the window/tent like treatment and just the over all design really tugged at my girlly decor heart strings.

and this was the winner... This room was designed by Kim and Matt. It has a little stage in the front with bright colors and great storage! There is storage under the stage (so smart huh!). They also put chalkboard paint on the wall and a huge roll of butcher paper that rolls down into that purple frame where they can paint/color away till their hearts desire! There were also adult chairs in there for mom and dad to watch the show!I just love this type of show. I get inspired by them and I just love the overall competition of it all! It would of been a really hard decision to make. (all pictures came from HGTV.com)

so thankful

yesterday i was going through some old posts and pictures remembering how last year this time i was trying to figure out a good formula for pauly. the headache of him having extreme eczema and being so tiny with so much discomfort. broke my heart! i am so thankful that is over - he is doing great! it is something i think about often and i'm so grateful for all of my support from my family. i posted a picture that was taken around the same time last year. see the difference!

i can cry if i want to!

boy! i just had a challenging day! you know the ones where satan is nipping at your heels! my husband was off work today. i was hoping we would be able to spend some time together today as saturday, he had to work. sunday, we spent the whole day with his family. so i guess i was just hoping he would go in to the office (as he had planned) just for a little while, hit the gym, and come home and play! nope... to boot, my kid wouldn't take a nap and that just won't do! i really need a break! he runs me ragged! getting up on this and into this and eating this. i was going nuts and i just needed my husband home since it was his "day off"! well no he spent time at the office and then to the gym then he thought - we would probably be napping so he went to visit some family. which honestly i love that he goes over and visits my family. he just likes them which is cool. right? but i was waiting for him and he honestly said he was just waiting for a phone call from me so he could come home and he mainly didn't want to interrupt napping! AAAAARRRRGGG! i was sad and mad when he got home - but as we always do... we figured out where there was a miscommunication break-down and things are all good! it didn't change that i was totally bummed and sad though. oh well... next time i know just to call and he'll come home to me when i need him. he just rocks like that!

Little Room that Could!

These are some pictures from my son's room. I had the help of my sisters, my mom, my mother-in-law and my hubby with his nursery. I had this room all planned out in my mind - I left for the weekend to visit my family and came home and my hubby had taken it on himself to paint - which was fabulous! BUT it wasn't the color I had dreamed about... Being my crazy pregnant emotional self... I just balled. But as every piece all came together - this room turned into a little bold colored sanctuary! and I love it so much!

I got a lot of my decor ideas from Land of Nod, Pottery Barn Kids, and Target. Every furniture item in the room was either bought on craigslist, given to me or I already had it. My mama did buy me new bedding which I believe came from Target (doesn't everyone love Target?) and I made the little banners that are hanging across the tops of the window treatments (boy... was that a chore at 7 months preggers :) I painted the four little colorful canvas blocks to match blocks on his quilt. I painted the little night stand a light celery green and the rocking chair... (which you can't really see) I painted bright white. It is such a bright inspirational space. I just loved hanging out in there even before our baby was born and now that he is 17 months old ( I KNOW I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!) there are many occasions that we all just go in there to play and hang out! Hope you are inspired by my favorite room in the our home (well... so far :)

10 Tips on Budget Friendly Meal Planning

Frugal is my middle name... well no... it's Jo! But honestly my husband works for a nonprofit and I'm a stay-at-home mom. We are tight in the money department! So, I'm going to share with you some of my frugal tips on meal planning. Hope they help!

1] Clip coupons! - A Monday ritual for me is running down to the nearest grocery store and grabbing a left-over Sunday paper. I sit at the kitchen table and clip every coupon I would ever consider using. Even if you know you have it in your cupboard still CLIP IT! - you just never know! Also when reading coupons make sure to pay close attention to the dates on the coupon and also what it says! Sometimes it is an awesome deal and sometimes it is not!

2] Check Your Cupboards - When I get ready to write up a menu, I take a good look of what is in my cupboards. I base my menu off of what I know I already have on hand. When it comes around to the next time you are supposed to go buy groceries you should have near to nothing in your cupboard/ refrigerator if you are doing it right. (With exception to the staples) You don't want to buy repeats on accident and you don't want to cut yourself short on the staples. That just leads to extra trips to the grocery store and we all know that just gets us over budget!

3] Write a Menu! When writing a menu... put the day, the meal, how much of each meat (2 cb [chicken breasts], .5 lb gb [ground beef] and so on) This will help with no over-buying or under-buying.

Example:

Monday, February 16: (Follow also your personal calendar so you won't plan a meal on the days you are eating out or going over to a friends house and so on.)

brkfst - Hot Cereal and Bananas 2bns

lch - Tuna Sandwiches, Chips, Apple Slices, and Carrot sticks 2cn,2apl,2crt

dnr - Roasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Peas and Applesauce 1whlchkn,3ptto,

This seems a little tedious but I'm telling you if you do this you will buy exactly what you need and you'll find your grocery bill go DOWN significantly. Also when writing your menu take advantage of left-overs and reusing for example the whole chicken carcass to make chicken stock for chicken soup, chicken potpie or the like. Take advantage of what is in your cupboard already and also remember to include in your meal planning - those coupons!

4] Make a list and check it twice! Write up grocery list based off of your menu - When writing up your grocery list take your menu (side-by-side) and go day by day. What exactly are you going to need for the meals in that day from the main food item to the cooking ingredients... everything for that day - making sure you are not listing things that you already have supplied in your cupboards.

5] Organize your Grocery List! To help with making your trip quick and successful - split up your grocery list into a strategic plan based on what areas you shop in and by what order you first walk to when you walk through the grocery store doors... example: Fruits and Veggies, Middle Aisles, Meat, Dairy, and Frozen (this helps with time when your shopping with kiddos)

6] Buy basic ingredients - rice, flour, noodles... This is sort of like you would be cooking from scratch - Don't be turned off by this - you'll see how your family will benefit from this if you try it. Don't buy prepackaged anything! No HamburgerHelper, no preseasoned rice or noodle boxes, no cookies in a tube, no cakes in a box, no fancy frozen meal in one sack type of deals! You'll find if you are making these dinners/desserts on your own... with raw, fresh and basic ingredients you will be able to make 3 meals for the price of one! It is #1 healthier and #2 it is WAY CHEAPER to cook with more basic ingredients!

7] Only take 2 trips to the grocery store! - We take two trips a month to the grocery store. One at the first of the month and one at the fifteenth (when we get paid :). This way you aren't tempted to buy anything more and if you don't have it - you can't make it... so this is why it is crucial you make yourself a good list!

8] Midnight Grocery Shopping! I have a grocery store here where I live that is open 24/7. So I'll work on my list during the day, my husband will get home from work and we'll do our normal evening routine of dinner, bathe the kid and get the kiddo to bed and then I'll go shopping and he stays at the house with the boy! This is not only gives me a little much needed mama time! But, I do SO good shopping when I don't have my little one screaming in my ear! Try it out! You'll fall in love at first trip!

9] Got to the cheaper market! I started to go to Winco way back when I realized how different my bills were. I mean by probably more than 1/3 of a difference! So you might feel creeped out by the ethnic diversity of that cheaper store. Grit your teeth and swallow your pride and GET OVER IT. God made them too and remember... Jesus loves the little children of the World!

10] Vow to NEVER again! Never again will you take a quick trip to the more expensive grocery store buying unwanted/unneeded items. Never again will you go to the grocery store without going through this process because it just ends up costing YOU TOO MUCH! Follow your Menu! You wrote it for a reason! Stick with it!

Happy Meal Planning!

Sista Sista!

I have been blessed with three of the most perfect sister-in-laws any wifey could ask for. There are 4 kids in my husband's family (3 girls and yes, he is the only boy) So under the circumstances things could be a lot worse! These girls welcomed me into their family with their arms wide open! There is Holly (the oldest), the sister in North Dakota; Kelly (#2), the sister in Homer, AK; and Kerry(#4), who lives in Wasila, AK. They all pretty much spent the majority of their kid life in Anchor Point, AK.

Just an example of how sweet they are... last year I got an unexpected gift in the mail from Kelly... she had knit me a scarf. It was such a delight to get something in the mail not only a gift but a reassurance that my s.i.l was thinking of little ole me! :) Also, if you remember back in my posts Kelly came to see us for about 2 weeks this past summer. Her and I had a lot in common that we hadn't discovered yet and there was many a night we stayed up to the wee hours of the morning... crying and laughing out on our front lawn.

My Holly girl is always surprising me with unexpected phone calls and her and her family came for a week during New Years. We went thrift shopping, played many a game and laughed and cried! Her and Ben are like soul siblings... they are super alike - so it is super fun to be around her because I notice so much more of how much they are the same. Plus she is like a big sister to me too. (which is something I don't really have since I'm the oldest in my family)

Kerry, has recently moved up to Alaska this past year (her dreams came true :) when she lived in Montana and I had just had Pauly - her and her boys came for a week or so and spent some time with us. Her and I also talk on the phone once and a while and I'm vowing to remember to do it more because she is such a cool gal!

I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life. I can talk to them about anything from baby stuff, to husband problems (Oh yes! They are very helpful!), to homemaking. They rock! I hope you are as blessed as I to have that special Sis in your life. I have 5!

Go Fetch!

So... yesterday I was filling the dishwasher and I was getting everything from all the rooms rounded up to make sure everything is in the dishwasher that needs to be. I remembered Pauly had a bottle in his bed from the night and I held up a bottle I had in my hand and said "Pauly, go get you bottle (pointing at the one in my hand) it is on your bed... Hurry!" He stopped what he was doing and ran into his room and for the first time came back to me with what I asked him to go fetch! It was amazing! I screamed and hollered "You're such a big boy!" and the grin on his face showed me that he knew he had done good! So adorable.

and the winners are!

The winners for the Speedy Delivery hand-made gift send is.....

Mom

&

Krista

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Krista, send me your address to samimelton@yahoo.com!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Speedy Delivery

This is a really cool idea that my friend Shelby is doing on her blog! So this is how it works: The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me. The catch is I can deliver it to you some time this year. My choice when it will be :) This way you know it will be coming but you just won't know when :) When and what it will be is my choice! WaaHoo I'm excited!

For those of you who know me Surprises are my favorite! I love them! So this will be a really cool way for you to get surprised some time this year and if you have a blog I ask that you pay it forward and put this on your blog and surprise someone else too! If you don't have a blog maybe pick 3 people in your sweet little mind and send them a surprise some time this year. Just post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, only the first 3 comments receive the Speedy Delivery Surprise gift some time this year. Can't wait to see who it will be :)

Don't you feed your kid lady?

Yesterday I was working on my new blog... herhousehold.blogspot.com (it is definitely under construction so don't be surprised if I have to inform you I've changed it :) Anyway, my kid and my dog were found eating on a purple crayon... It was time for lunch and I had told Pauly I was going to be feeding him soon... but soon wasn't soon enough. Both of their little mouths were covered with purpley black waxy specks! It was time to eat!!! Right Now!!!

After naps Pauly and I took both my and Ben's wedding ring to Lee Read Jewelers for a Valentine Surprise Cleaning. Yes we're poor so my best idea for something sweet for us was a Wedding Ring cleaning :) Boy oh Boy don't they look beautiful too! But I'm getting ahead of myself, Pauly and I spent the 15 minutes waiting in their little kid area... where there is a toy box full of Legos, a television playing terrible cartoons I didn't even want Pauly to listen too and a chalkboard with yes you guessed it... 4 colorful pieces of chalk and yes you guessed again first thing he did when he got in there was put a big fat piece of chalk in his mouth and !!CRUNCH!! I was grossed out! I again scooped foreign pieces from my poor little starving dear's mouth and told him "NO!". Can you believe this kid?