Questions-Want Answers

Hey Y'all!! We continued our house hunt today and found one that we could possibly call home. I took my camera and everything, but didn't take it in. I thought I could remember it, of course I got home and thought, duh! I can't share it!!
I have a few questions for y'all. I know that ultimately we have to make the decision, but I always value a good opinion!!
The home was built in 1973, which I don't mind, because in some ways I like older homes. I like them really old, but can't seem to find one, not that my husband will agree on anyway. This home is quiet charming on the inside. It is kind of L-shaped in its layout. The living room has a floor to ceiling rock fireplace with a raised hearth. The kitchen has lots of cabinets but no pantry. The cabinets are quiet cute, but someone put little round locks on a lot of the doors. Kinda weird...The formal dining is off the kitchen and seems like its own room, tucked back-this home is not what you would consider an open floor plan. There isn't a lot of room in the kitchen for a big table. I'm thinking a bench and narrow rectangular table. The master bathroom just has a shower and single sink vanity. The bedrooms are pretty big and one is big enough for the boys to share and we would use the fourth bedroom for a schoolroom. The kid's bath is big-bigger than the master bath and has a long vanity. The bathrooms have the original tile floor. Not square, not hexagonal, not sure how to describe the shape, but they don't bother me.
Okay, so would you let the fact that the house is on a road, a well-traveled road, bother you? The back yard is fenced and they would play mostly back there. The front yard is biggish. Would not having a big eating area in your kitchen bother you? How about a somewhat closed in kitchen. I am thinking that we could maybe cut out a space above the sink to look over the living room. I think those are the only questions I have. Obviously I know that my husband and I have to make the decision, but it is nice to have a sounding board.
Thank you!!

Every mama crow thinks her baby's the blackest

Since all my bloggy friends are dreaming of Fall, I thought I would jump on the band wagon. Its gray and rainy outside, which makes it perfect nesting weather in my opinion. Doesn't make for the best picture taking, though. I realized after I uploaded the picture that the crow gets a little lost in the black frames. All I did was wire a black crow to the top of the birdcage, cut a little leaf garland to put in the bottom, added a pumpkin and a nest with eggs. Simple and easy. Likey?

Move over, Picasso!!

Jackson, age 5

Lilly, age 3

Didn't I promise fabulous, can't miss children's artwork? Well, I delivered!! Or, did they? Jackson decided that since Lilly was monopolizing the orange colored pencil for her pumpkins that he would draw a fruit and veggie patch. They started out sweet enough, then things got a little sinister. Look at those 4-eyed blueberries, sharp teeth, horns!! Makes you want to pay big bucks, no? He gets that talent from his dad, because its sweet little things for me.
Lilly wanted me to help her draw so I started her off with a fence, the rest she added and at one time demon killah was helping her.
Hope you enjoyed. Sweet dreams!!

Woo Hoo!! Sike...

My step-dad, who is also our real estate agent, called me today. He said the bank accepted our offer. Woo hoo!! was my reaction. My kids wondered why I was screaming. I told them we got the house. My mom was excited. My husband was more excited. Ring, ring. I answered the phone. "You need to sit down for this." said my step-dad. "What?" "They accepted the other offer. The agent called the wrong people." Well, I would say she did! That agent has been nothing if not idiotic the whole time. Between, not getting our offer the first time and lying and now this. I want to explode!! However, I know God's hand is in this and if this truly isn't the house He has for us then I don't want it. I will just keep saying that to myself...
Back to square one.
I will come back with a cute post next, I promise. I need to figure out how to use my scanner and I will post some fantabulous kid artwork.
Toodles!!

One, two, three, plie', Lilly's now taking Ballet

"I'm not so sure about this."

"Well, maybe I'll let you take my picture."

"Are we ever going in?"

This precious little girl of mine was so excited to take ballet. Especially, since the teacher has watched Lilly in nursery at our church. We got to the church(not our church) and it was a slightly different story. Lilly decided to get a little shy and not let me take her picture. Of course, good mom that I am, I took them anyway!! By the time the girls went into the room and started doing anything exciting, my batteries died. Hmmmp!!

All of the mom's homeschool, which I thought was cool. There was another little boy in the room where we all waited. He was a day and a year older than Jackson. I was excited that he would have a friend there, too. All was great until the kid started asking Jackson if he believed in Santa, which we do. They don't. We still do. Other than that, I think it will be fun.

In other news, we put in an offer on a house last week. Not sure what went down with that, but its taking a while and we should know something by tomorrow at noon. Hopefully...I would like to get our schoolroom in order and am waiting to see if we get this house or not. If not, then hopefully over the weekend we can accomplish organizing and rearranging and I will have something to share with y'all.

Hope you all have a great Friday!!

My Chocolate Biography?

What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You You are unique, creative, and fascinating.
You don't do what's expected of you.
You go for what's unknown and uncharted.

You are down to earth and lovable.
A true friend, you're very tolerant and understanding.
In fact, your friends' biggest problem is that they don't like each other!

You love to be the center of attention. You enjoy entertaining your friends.
You feel lost when no one is interested in you... You're too interesting to be ignored.

*So, what do you think? Especially the few that know me in real life. I can see a few of these, but I am not sure about the center of attention thing, although my parents couldn't find me one time when I was little, when they did find me I was on someone's car, singing into the antenna. Do any of you know how to get these little quiz's on your blog the right way? I tried to do what it says. Maybe the second sentence is true after all!!

***Edited to add: If you would like to take this quiz, you can find it here. If you figure out the right way to post it on your blog, please let the dumb(that would be me) know. Thanks!!

Too Silly Sisters

Oh. My. Word. Y'all, I have found the most fabulous maker of jewelry. If you like fun and whimsy, then you will love Too Silly Sisters. Lori makes the cutest button bracelets and other fun pieces of jewelry. I felt this bracelet calling my name from her etsy shop. When she had a sale the other day, I knew it was time for the bracelet to find a new home. I was so excited that it was still available, waiting just for me!! Lori can also customize a bracelet or necklace just for you and they are great for gifts. I know I love mine!!
My picture does not do this little beaut justice. I really should learn how to work my camera!! Go to Lori's shop and see for yourself!!

And the award goes to...

Moi!! I have received several awards lately and have yet to retrieve/receive them. I have to say I feel a little under-qualified for them, but I will graciously accept!!
The first is from Monica. This meant a lot, because that girl is like blog royalty to me. She was the first one I ever found.
These are the rules to accept the award:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award. (there was no link provided, so I don't have one to include)

5. To show these rules.

The second award was from Dawn.



Characteristics for the Smile Award:
1. Must display a cheerful attitude (not necessarily at all times - we are all human)
2. Must love one another
3. Must make mistakes
4. Must learn from others
5. Must be a positive contributor to the blog world
6. Must love life
7. Must love kids

These are the rules:
1. The recipient must link back to the awards creator
2. You must post these rules if you receive the award
3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.
4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.
5. You must post the characteristics of the recipient.
6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.
7. You must thank your giver.

My third award came from Lori. She is becoming a fast friend and I have enjoyed getting to know her better through emails.

I am so flattered with all the awards, especially since I haven't been blogging long.

Now, here is the part where I am supposed to bequeath these awards upon others. I kind of feel like I can't do that. The whole getting picked last in gym class and all... I dedicate these to everyone on my blogroll and the kind girls that leave me such wonderful comments. I really do feel like y'all are an extended part of my family!!

A Gift for Jack

We have a birthday party to attend tonight for one of my friend's little boy, Jack. He is three today. I generally do not buy toys for kids gifts-they have so many already. His birthday theme is firetrucks so I got him a little golden book about fire engines. We also got a drawing pad and crayons. Unfortunately, Lilly thought the crayons were for us so she ripped the back of the box trying to open them. Back to Wal-Mart we go to get more!! I made the shirt and bag. Just ironed fabric to wonder-under then onto the shirt and bag, stitched around the letters and voila, a fun, personalized gift!!

All ready to go!! I have to say I feel a little "green" using a tote for a gift bag and it was less expensive than a cute gift bag would have been.

Hope y'all have a wonderful Tuesday night!!

Questions and Answers and Regrets

Hello again!! I have had a few questions about the tassels and decided to answer them in a post.
Why two different types of glue?
I used the Allene's to roll the trim at my mom's suggestion so I don't burn my fingers on hot glue. How's that for an answer?? Someone did mention that hot glue loosens over time. I don't know what the "professional tasseliers" use so we will see how it holds up. I am open to suggestions...

What type of fringe is it that I used?
The main trim is a rope-like trim that I got from a yard sale. I noticed that it was like $10 a yard at Hobby Lobby. Yikes!! I would definitely look for their sales. The brown trim was maybe called eyelash fringe. You could click on the picture of the tassels to get a better look. HL has such a big selection to choose from. I would just go there and see what you like best.

Where did the toppers come from and did the bird topper come with a hook?
I actually got my toppers from one of my local antique shops. The bird came from HL originally, I found out I was taken on that one!! I paid a dollar more than the original HL price and it was probably on sale there!! Oh well, the birdie sure is cute. No, it did not come with a hook. I am going to look online to see if I can find some that do come with hooks. I don't know where others get their little birdies with hooks. You could use Christmas ornaments too. Now would be a great time to start looking for ones with good tassel potential.

Hope that answered everyone's questions.

An another non tassel related note...I went to a funeral today. I used to be good friends with the lady that passed away. I haven't spoken with her in quiet a few years because I felt like she betrayed me. That is one thing I don't like. In some ways I thought she got sick because it was her punishment. I know that is not true though. I didn't think it would bother me if she got better or not. I regret that I did not reconcile with her. There is a reason that the Bible says do not let the sun go down on your anger. It is better to swallow your pride than to hold a grudge. I am now learning this. Too late. Carol used to make me laugh at work. Everyday. I think it was her life's mission. She used to call me Elsie. My name is not Elsie, its Elise. She used to write it L.C. It would make me laugh. I would even get Carol to repeat the joke she just told so I could laugh some more. I urge you to forgive the people you feel wronged you. I wish I could have had the time back now. Please pray for her family. She left behind a husband, a daughter and two grandgirls.
Sorry to end on this note tonight, I had to say what was on my heart.

Poppyseed Chicken

Per Katie's request, here is my Poppyseed Chicken recipe. I did kind of forget the original recipe, but some things don't really need measurements anyway.

Poppyseed Chicken
1 lb. chicken, cooked and cut up
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
8 oz. sour cream
poppyseeds-however much you want to add

for the topping and bottom
2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
poppyseeds-again, use your discretion
11/2 sticks butter, melted

Mix the Ritz crackers, poppyseeds, and melted butter, pour half of the mixture into an 11x7 inch dish.
Combine the 1st 5 ingredients together and pour over the cracker mixture. Sprinkle the rest of the crackers over the chicken. Put into 350 degree oven and bake about 30 minutes or until crackers are golden brown and chicken mixture is bubbly.
Enjoy!!

*I forgot for a while that the recipe calls for a bottom crust, if you like you can omit that and halve the recipe for the topping.
*If you want to make this an even quicker recipe, you can buy a rotisserie chicken or the pre-cooked chicken strips.