S'mores Galore!

Since we have been camping a lot this summer I've been in search of good/different/interesting/unique s'more recipes. I know it sounds strange, what can you do differently with graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallows, but I am determined! 

S'more Rice Krispies Treats via Glorious Treats

Graham Cracker S'mores Cookies via Glorious Treats

S'mores Pops via Glorious Treats

S'mores Cupcakes via Glorious Treats

Beer Marshmallow S'mores via How Sweet It Is

Campfire Cookies via Keep It Simple Foods

So I thought I found a pretty good list of options and then I stumbled across Gotta Have S'more -- seriously a bakery dedicated to s'more muffins?! If only I lived closer ...

mason jars ... who knew?!

Who knew Mason jars could be so versatile? I've been seeing more and more people using them for everyday or special occasions. I recently used one for A's birthday as a fairy wand holder and thought it turned out cute. Then I came across 10 Things to Do with Mason Jars. There are some super cute ideas! Below are a couple of my favorite ideas.

Some additional cute ideas were found at the ediTORIal website. And a few more practical ideas are available on the Budget Wise Home blog. Enjoy!

Bathroom Redesign

Ok so it's more like designing for the first time. We have lived in our current home for almost a year and a half, but we have yet to decorate the downstairs bathroom. (Hey, I've been busy!) While coming home from our trip to North Carolina my DH and I discussed what we wanted to do. So now I'm ready, I know what I want ... the only problem is I need time and money to get it done! Here's some of the inspiration I've found.

This is the color of blue we want with white accents [source]

I like the base of this vanity, but not the counter portion [source]

I like these lights, maybe one on each side of the mirror [source]

I like the scroll work mirror, not sure if I could actually DIY-it [source]

Top Finished!

I got my quilt top finished last week. I started my strip quilt a few weeks ago and was happy to finish up the top. Now the question is ... when will I have a finished quilt? I have a feeling it is going to be awhile, but if I finish by Christmas I'd be happy!

I'm standing on the bed trying to get the whole thing in the picture -- at this point A walks in and asks "Mommy why are you jumping on the bed?"

Standing at the end of the quilt trying to get a good shot -- you can really tell it needs some ironing!

Linking up to Thirty Handmade Days 

Jealous ... very jealous!

I wish I was a good photographer. I wish I could take awesome pictures and then use some fancy computer program to make them look even better. I came across S.S.C Photography and some of their photos are simply amazing. Here are some of my favorites.

 

HOT, HOT, HOT

Today is the 5th day in a row that temperatures have surpassed 90* and it's not looking any better for awhile. I'm looking forward to Monday because it will be 89*. Wahoo! Ok, I obviously need to find something else to amuse myself with, but it is just too hot.

Ruffles!

Modern Day Aristocrat Tee Shirt via TutusChic

Magazine Street Barrel Bag Tote via bayousalvage

 

Stacked Ruffles Pillow Cover via iviemade

I'm not a big girly girl, but for some reason I've found the ruffles to be very appealing lately. Here's some fun ones I've come across recently. Or maybe I just have a thing for gray and yellow and that's why I love these!

Strawberry Banana Muffins

Even though it was 90+ outside yesterday, I fired up the oven and baked these yummy Strawberry Banana Muffins. I used the recipe from An Organic Wife, but in the future I would probably just take my banana bread recipe and add strawberries. They still turned out delicious. My DH and A gobbled up one muffin and a few slices of bread yesterday afternoon, so they must have been pretty good.

Bad Idea!

I had a very bad idea last night. I decided after dinner and giving the girls a bath that I would go running. It was only 80* out so I figured I better get it in now. The forecast for the weekend and all next week is well into the 90s every day so I thought "it's now or never!". I got ready and went out the door to run. I decided to try and step up my game and go for 3 miles last night. (Previously I've only done 2 1/4 miles, so this was a big leap!) I got to the 1 mile mark and realized. I didn't bring anything to drink. No water for the next 2 miles ... great! Around mile 2 I started getting VERY tired and realized I was in danger of becoming dehydrated if I didn't slow down. I finished my 3 mile run/walk in about 40 minutes. I felt like I was going to pass out. I'm happy that I made it the 3 miles (remember my goal is to run the 4 mile race in September), but I learned a very important lesson ... if I'm going over 2 miles I MUST TAKE A WATER BOTTLE!

Strip Quilt

I put it on my "DIY I want to try" list to make a strip quilt and I finally started one on Sunday. Here it is all laid out. However, both A and J were awake while I had it out and they moved a few pieces around so the finished product won't look the same. Also, after I started sewing I realized I would need to make it longer to accommodate for the seams, so this might end up being quite the adventure!

Here's photos from the layout, sorry about the bad lighting in the first one.

I continued to work on it Monday night and found some dark gray fabric that looks really good with all the patterns I have going on. I'm going to add a couple more solid pieces towards the center to help break it up. But here's what it looks like so far. I really need to press it, so it's pretty lumpy right now! 

Treasury ...

I enjoy looking through the Treasury section on Etsy. Here are some of my favorites that I found today ...

Love the peaceful feeling

Good contrast and interesting pieces

I love the idea of growing your own food

Vacation!!

We are finally back from vacation! The family and I spent the last week in North Carolina and the 4th of July weekend in Myrtle Beach, SC. It was a wonderful trip!

The beautiful beach outside our hotel

We got to do lots of fun stuff including a visit to the Ripley's Aquarium. J was cranky and A ended up with a meltdown before we left, but it was still a wonderful place to visit.

Family in front of the aquarium

The purpose of our visit was to see Nana and PawPaw. They were both excited to see the girls and the girls were equally excited to see them. It was a lot of fun to see my Dad since we haven't seen each other since Thanksgiving.