Raggedy Haven Orphanage

More new life...

2011-03-29T19:33:00.002-06:00

Only this time it is WAY better than baby chicks... Ü 7lbs 9oz worth! We love you sweet baby Campbell! and can't WAIT TO Meet you in person!!!

increasing by fourteen...

2011-03-23T16:56:00.003-06:00

Last couple of weekends, this has been our backyard project. First pouring cement for the foundation... then the raising of the roof!

The kids have been besides themselves excited to go and be able to pick out their babies. We told them that we needed to be closer to having a place to house them, once we got them. As you can see... that time came. We went to pick out our new chicks... and wouldn't you know it... they were SOLD OUT!
The kids were dissapointed, and had to wait a few more days until C.A.L. Ranch got a new shippment... then they got to go and get them. They have been home for a day now...

They got to be out in the grass today... watched over carefully by four big kids...

and Oh Boy! the new housing unit is right next to SugarPlum Stitches Studio's! Oh Boy!

Yikes!

Giveaway Winner!

2010-07-08T14:40:00.005-06:00

I am SO behind you guys! I am so very sorry that this was not done on Sunday, as i promised. bad... bad...

I appreciate all of you so much! Thank you SO much for all the kind things you said about Sugarplum Stitches and Raggedy Haven. I always say this... but seriously! What i do just simply would not be fun without YOU! Your encouragement and all your kind words - they keep me going!

THANK YOU!

So, without further adiou...

our Giveaway winner is:

Primitives from the Attic!

Wendy shared all over, and several different times!! Wendy, thank you SO much for sharing all those links about us! We sure appreciate it!

Now, because i feel SO GUILTY about being so behind...

i want to add a second prize!

Our second winner will receive one set of Three of these Wool Lavandar Angel Pillows/Ornies!

and that winner is...

The Country Shed

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement!

Ladies, please send me your mailing address' and i will get your goodies off in the mail! xoxo

YOU are Magnificent!...

2010-07-01T09:00:00.003-06:00

... Jeffery R. Holland said it;

so i KNOW it's true!!

You ARE Magnificent!

My Mom is amazing!

All you mom's out there... YOU are amazing!!
Thank you for all that you do to raise your babies and by doing so... making the world a better place!

I thank GOD every day for the chance i have been given, to be a Mother.

4th of July - American style!

2010-06-30T12:47:00.004-06:00

Make It and Love IT!

OH! my goodness! I LOVE this little project! I am SO making me one, and maybe the kids and Bart too... if they are lucky! My sister Jen is coming tomorrow! Maybe we can do them all together!

HURRY! go and check out the 'how-too' HERE! easy peasy!

i love you... do you?

2010-06-30T11:10:00.003-06:00

When you give yourself credit for something, you take pride in what you do!

that doesn't mean you think you are better than someone else...

it just means that you value who you are & you send that message to the world.

-- jillian michaels

I watched "Loosing it with Jillian" today and this quote in last nights episode with the Vivio Family touched me.

receiving accolades has always been hard for me. i personally have struggled with this my entire adult life. i know that a lot of it has to do with an abusive relationship that i survived 11 years ago. I was never good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, tough enough... just never enough. It is amazing what you start to believe, feel about yourself, and start to change who you are and how deep it goes, when someone that is supposed to love you, makes you feel this way.

That relationship was a lifetime ago and i am definately no longer that person anymore, that was changed by an abusive relationship, however i continue to deal with some of the residual effects of not feeling worthy of greatness or feeling worthy of good things or praise in myself when someone extends me a compliment.

i saw in this episode, similarities between this mom and myself with my own 12 year old son. He struggles at times with his self esteem. It made me think... do i have something more to do with his esteem than i think i do? Does he do as he sees me do? My heart broke!

I love my son more than my life itself. I am vowing today!- to give myself more credit for the good things that i do. for my accomplishments-physical and spiritual. and i am determined to make sure that my kids... all four of them... know Every SINGLE day; how proud i am of them and how AMAZING i think they are! because they are!

I wonder too, am i the only one that deals with this? i have a feeling that i am not. i come in contact every single day with people that i think are amazing! i would hope that all of you know how amazing you are!

Do something good... and then be willing to give yourself credit! Be PROUD of yourself!

You inspire and touch my heart every day! Thank you!

New GIVEAWAY!

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

SugarPlum Stitches wants to celebrate! We are listing on eBay again!

and... we need your help! We want to get the word out there about our eBay and I know you can help me do that! Here is what we'll do!

If you would pretty please... take a peek at our new eBay auctions (RaggedyHaven) and pick the one that is your favorite. Then share it with your friends! Either share it on your wall over at Facebook or how bout your Blog? Maybe twitter? or even on your MySpace!

( here is the link to the giveaway you can share with your friends: http://raggedyhaven.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-giveaway.html

and here is the link to our eBay: http://shop.ebay.com/raggedyhaven/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340 just copy and paste the link where ever you would like to share them! )

Once you do, just come in here to this post, and let me know how/where you have shared the news with your friends by leaving me a comment!

I will be most grateful, and add your name to the drawing for this adorable QT that i just know you would like to take home with ya! Ü

She measures approx 12" tall. Just the perfect size to add a bunch of prim charm to your home.

I would also love to include a sampling of just some of my Hang Tags to share with you.

You have until Saturday to enter. I will choose a winner by random drawing on Saturday night and announce our winner on Sunday.

You mentioned it on Facebook, Blog AND Twitter you say? Well Hot DOG! Each one/"share" will get you an entry to win!

I seriously couldn't do this without all of you! and it is my Customers; with such encouraging comments and lifting words that makes this so much fun for me!

THANK YOU for all you do to help and lift me! xoxoxo!

Giveaway...

2010-06-07T08:55:00.003-06:00

courtesy of Primitives From the Attic

My Friend Wendy of Primitives From the Attic (or on facebook)is having Another ADORABLE giveaway!

Isnt' she adorable!? I am lucky enough to already have one of Wendy's pieces and LOVE IT! So, why in the world would i come into my blog-to share the good news and possibly lessen my chances to take home this sweet lil' girl myself?

Well, just because i think Wendy's work is adorable! Plus she is a super sweetheart! and... I want YOU to be lucky too! Ü

OK, so you need to go HERE and leave a comment on how amazing and wonderful she is... AND... please tell her i said hello! Ü cause she IS wonderful!

good luck!

Signs of Summer

2010-06-04T10:19:00.003-06:00

courtsey of Tasty Kitchen

You Scream, I Scream... we ALL scream for ICE CREAM!

I'm going to tell you a secret, something you might not know about me. When i grow up, I want to be an ice cream truck driver! It's true! For years i have dreamed about the cutest lil' ice cream truck with twinkling music coming from the speakers!

Fun! right?

Is there anything that Screams louder that SUMMER is coming, than ice cream?

and just LOOK at what the Tasty Kitchen has put together! WOW!

Ice Cream to your sweet lil' hearts content!

Sneak Peek....

2010-05-13T09:49:00.004-06:00

i've been creating...

just a lil' bit. i have missed it so very much!

with all the craziness going on around my house, its a wonder i still have my head screwed on. might not be straight, but it is still attached!

anyway, just wanted to give ya a sneak peek at a lil something i have been up too!

Have you been inspired today?

2010-05-12T11:23:00.004-06:00

(May 2009-my first Full Marathon in Newport Oregon - crossing the FINISH line!)

I want to know; What motivates you?

What are you doing that makes you Proud?

Are there certain things or people that inspire you to be better? To DO better?

What, or Who are they?

THIS is what has inspired me today...

(it is kinda long, a full movie- but for me, it was well worth the watch)

My New Life

2010-05-04T13:41:00.002-06:00

Please watch this video. Please be inspired.

We each have our own troubles and trials. None of them are the same... however, each of them is just as trying. One is not bigger or of more importance then another. We each have our personal struggles to deal with. It is how we deal with them, that is what is important and helps us grow.

Sunday morning, i was listening to the radio as I readied myself for church. I heard the quote

"Trials are inevitable - Misery is an Option"

I know this to be true. I have tested it. I have lived it. I know it.

Sunday, for us, could not have been a more perfect day. Hearing this quote as my day began, put a smile on my face as i remembered things that i have faced, dealt with and Conquered in my life that were HARD and it set the precendence for the rest of an amazing day; and the end to a Very hard week.

I am Thankful for my trials. I am Thankful for things that are hard. I am Thankful for the chance that I have as a mortal being, to grow and to learn and to Be.

Stephanie is someone I want to be more like. I think she is beautiful, and is certainly someone who continues to inspire and encourage me - even though we have never met.

I am Thankful for angels that surround me.

i heart daisies!

2010-04-15T11:59:00.000-06:00

i have never met a cookie that was too pretty to eat...

for the full recipe and HOW TOO... just click here--->

the decorated cookie

does anyone even really EAT Peeps?...

2010-04-15T09:25:00.000-06:00

... EW! Maybe they are just made to make adorable blog posts like this one!

Anyone that knows me, KNOWS that i can not pass up a cookie!!! So is it any surprise that i love a blod called "The Decorated Cookie"? pushaw! This one I thought it was adorable and hilerious! Stop by the Decorated Cookie to see the entire post! too cute!

the decorated cookie: how to get rid of your leftover Peeps

i love Chestnut Junction...

2010-04-08T07:27:00.001-06:00

...and who doesn't love free? ... click here:

Free Stitchery Pattern - FSP5

thanks Chestnut Junction!!

Chestnut Junction - Etsy

Chestnut Junction

Sunshine in my Future?

2010-04-07T08:52:00.004-06:00

Maybe if i 'think' it hard enough... it will come? still dreaming about spring! If Mother Nature won't bring me spring flowers... maybe i'll just make my own! I can even make them smell good if i wanna! Ü

some of my favorites: (just click)

Spiral Paper Rose Video Tutorial

Paper Rose

Box Top

some others i found on YouTube.

paper flower making on

YouTube

Winter Storm Warning... another 3-8 inches sigh

2010-04-06T07:41:00.003-06:00

Ok, so i can dream about SPRING... can't i?

iF and When the weather starts to break here in Utah, i would love to make me some of these!

and here is how:

Mod Podge and food Coloring make beautiful reuse music together Gingerbread Snowflakes

Influence of a Mother...

2010-04-05T09:49:00.006-06:00

courtsey of Justin Hackworth Photography

"There is No greater good in all the world then Motherhood. The influence of a Mother in the lives of her children is beyond Calculation."

--James E. Faust

I found Justin last year, through his 30 Strangers project, 2009. About three weeks ago, I was so thrilled and beyond excited when I received an email from Justin, telling me that I had been chosen to participate and to be involved in Justin Hackworth’s 30 Strangers project for this year, 2010!!
The timing of my Mom being in town was Impeccable & Justin was absolutely accommodating.

I was so anxious to meet Justin. The time for us to go and meet him, finally came on this last Saturday afternoon - Finally, we would be strangers no longer. I was filled with excited nerves.
Justin was amazing! He has the kindest eyes. Right away; he set us at ease and made us feel like we were never Strangers at all, but lifetime friends. Even as we walked into the building and headed up the stairs, we were welcomed by a welcome sign, with our names, printed right on it!! How fun is that!? Small detail, but Very fun! (I now wish that we would have asked to keep it)

While in Justin's studio, We told jokes, giggled, and felt beautiful!

It didn't take me very long, to get emotional as i watched Justin at work, trying his very hardest, through his camera lense, to find & capture what was most beautiful about the special ladies that accompanied me that day. My heart just swelled! As Justin snapped away, i found myself not only fighting back tears... (didn't wanna mess up my make-up!) Ü but also fighting the urge to tell him every last detail of how each of them were so beautiful on the Inside too, and why I loved them each so very much! As I watched, I realized that this was just more than a fun day of getting our pictures taken by someone neat! Most of all, Justin has recorded a "new beginning" for me in my life. A new phase. I get to be a 'Mom', in a new and little bit different way then I have been the past 12 1/2 years. I have found Happiness this past year that I have never known. This happiness certainly comes with its own challenges, but finally having the family of my dreams, makes it all worth it. Justin has, in a sense, recorded the beginning for me and i am SO looking forward to what the next bazillion years will bring. I am excited to watch these two amazing and BEAUTIFUL daughters of mine, grow and develop and I just can't wait to see what they become.
And I have a Mom that i will always admire and be Thankful for.

I LOVE the calling that i have been given to be a Mother. I am very thankful for the blessing that my Heavenly Father has given me to be a Mother. This awesome responsibility also at times, has me overwhelmed and scared to death. The thought of having charge over four of Heavenly Father's most precious spirits, scares the pants right off me sometimes. I will only do my best, love them with all my might, and pray constantly for guidance and protection over them.

This last weekend was also General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.

It was a full two days if spiritual enlightenment. My soul has been filled, and I feel renewed.

I was especially touched by the talk Mothers - Elder Bradly D. Foster He spoke directly to me. I hope that you all take 10 minutes to listen to his words.

Mom, I love you & thank you for all that you have taught me; so that i can hopefully be a better Mother.

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

2010-02-06T16:42:00.002-07:00

"Pillar of Heaven" Nativity by Kim Lawrence PRE-ORDER for 2010

2010-02-06T11:33:00.003-07:00

I collect Nativity. I came across this one today and absolutely FELL IN LOVE!? Do you think i could talk someone into getting it (or at least reserving it) for me for Valentines Day? *Ü*

***If you are my Mom, or Sisters reading this... and a certain someone asks... ? Now you know a Perfect suggestion! hehee!

"Pillar of Heaven" Nativity by Kim Lawrence PRE-ORDER for 2010

My Sister Carrie...

2010-02-04T20:18:00.006-07:00

... is AMAZING! She comes up with the CUTEST ideas and is seriously the most "over the top-FUN Mom EVER!" Just go over and take a peek at a few of her blog posts!
My Niece Addison's 2nd birthday party for example HERE I mean HELLO! Just check out the spread for that party! I wanna be 2 again... just so my sister can throw me a party!

BUT!... the post of hers that i want to share with you (she is my guest 'speaker' today and she doesn't even know it yet.... ) is her Valentine's she made for her kids! I mean... just check these out! SO CUTE! I mean... i helps that my niece and nephew are so DELISH!!! Seriously!
I love these Valentine's SO MUCH... i am MAKING my kids pass these out as their valentine's this year... wether they want to or not! Ü Even BOTH of my boys! (thanks Care!)

SO... without further AIE-Due... ;) Here is my sister Carrie!

School Valentine's
A couple of days ago I was taking some pictures of Maya to make invitations for her upcoming birthday party and I was hit by an idea for our class Valentine's this year.
These were SOOOOOOO easy.

I put up a white poster board on our garage door and snapped some pics of Maya and Kai with their arms stretched out and their hands in a fist...

and then through the powers of photoshop I turned them into this...

I sent them to the hour photo at Costco and paid 13 cents each for 4x6 prints. I then slit some holes in the picture at the bottom and top of their fists and slipped in a sucker that I found in the $1 bin at Target.
Here is the finished product.....

...and there you have it.

School Class Valentine's....check!

Facebook Fan Page Giveaway WINNERS!

2010-01-25T21:05:00.002-07:00

The time has come!
With the pay of dinner, (an excellent dinner i might add... ;)) I have enlisted the help of my four wonderful assistants, and they have agreed to help me pick our winners. You will also be happy to know that we came up with TEN winners instead of the EIGHT as previously announced.

We used Random.org as our number pickers.

Our winners are as follows:

Rita Tincher
Silvia Andreoli
Craftie Lady
Melane Noack
Anita Butler
Erin Pappas
Donna Maurer
Casie Metcalf Hitchcock
Lisa Goode-Clark
Karrie Reindart Rose

ATTN Winners!:
If your name has been chosen, please contact me by email at jodi (at) sugarplumstitches (dot) com. I will need your mailing address in order to send you your gift. You have until FRIDAY, JANUARY 29th to contact me. If I do not hear from you, then I will assume that you are not interested and I will reassign your gift to another FAN.

Thanks to all for being a loyal fan of SugarPlum Stitches.com!

Facebook Fans Giveaway

2010-01-21T17:08:00.004-07:00

We are so excited that our fan base is growing on Facebook!

Another thing that we are excited about? SugarPlum Stitches has a new line of "Sparkle"!
What is Sparkle you say? Well, we hope that you can come and check it out! Either in our ETSY SHOPPE or over @ SugarPlumStitches.com
I have had so much fun putting together adorable necklace glass pendant charms for you to enjoy.

We are so excited about all these new things, that we want to have our first giveaway of 2010, centered around our Facebook Fans! Why not combine the TWO!?
So, for our first giveaway of 2010; I will be giving away EIGHT pieces of our brand new line of "Sparkle"!! I will be picking our lucky winners ONLY from our Facebook Fans list. What does that mean to you? Well... if you aren't a facebook fan yet... ? ya better hurry! Just become a FAN of SugarPlum Stitches by clicking here & then clicking on the become a FAN button on SugarPlum Stitches fan page once your there.
OR... just click on the FAN button over there to the right-------> Ü

Monday, January 25, 2010 @ 9:00pm MST -- I will have my four lovely assistants pick our winners! (i let them do all the hard work! ;))

You can check out more of the "Sparkle" line here: SPARKLE

Keeping up with...: It's all about the countdown!

2010-01-11T18:17:00.001-07:00

Keeping up with...: It's all about the countdown!

If you click on the link above, it will take you to my sister's blog. What a cute blog! I am so lucky to have a sister that appreciates good things! Ü hehee!

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

2010-01-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Thankful...

2009-11-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Thankful...

2009-11-23T11:17:00.005-07:00

In The Spirit of Thanksgiving...

I just wanted to share how much fun i have had this month, reading every day about what all my friends and family are thankful for! You took the challenge to find something that you are thankful for every day... and you found them!

There is really so much to be Thankful for!

I hope it is ok with my friend Cindy, (maybe i should have asked first... Ü)

but i just HAD to share with you a message that she sent to me after she had taken on the challenge:

So Jodi I was thinking today... how writing something to be thankful for every day has lifted my spirits! i've been thinking of 2 or 3 things every day and it's been really nice :) It's amazing how fast gratitude can change an attitude?!

Cindy! I love you to Bits and Pieces! and by golly! I think she GoT it! Ü

I really am having a hard time, believing that November is about to come to a close. Where in the world does the time go?

This only confirms to me the absolute importance in my life- that it is so important for me to Stop; and count my blessings!

ksl.com - Meteor the size of oven lights up the night sky, alarms Utahns

2009-11-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

ksl.com - Meteor the size of oven lights up the night sky, alarms Utahns

Thankful... 11/07/09

2009-11-07T08:00:00.002-07:00

Feeling Gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

-- William Arthur Ward

You have all been so Wonderful and amazing at sharing with the world, what you are Grateful for.

I am curious... We obviously have SO much to be grateful for...

HOW ARE YOU EXPRESSING YOUR GRATITUDE?

Give me your ideas... what are ways that we can express or show our gratitude to those around us every day?

Thankful... 11/06/09

2009-11-06T07:57:00.001-07:00

This morning i came across these pictures of Carson . My eyes welled up with tears, which were soon streeeeaming down my face... and I knew instantly what i was thankful for today!

Today, I am SO Thankful that i have been given the chance to LOVE this sweet little boy.

I mean, any of you that know me, even just a little bit, know that it is fairly easy for me to love children... but the chance that i have been given to LOVE Carson and Courtney is extra special. The love i have for them is extra special.

Many of you might not know, but it was Carson's Mommy that ultimately introduced Bart & I.

Kristi, Carson & Courtney's Mommy, passed away this last January-ending her long battle with Cancer. The week before she passed away, she gave Bart my name. He added my name to a list they had been compiling. He had no idea who i was, & thought that he would be stuck mowing the lawn of some 80 year old woman. Well, of course that was not the case-and a fairytale love story adventually began, all thanks to Kristi.

We miss her, but I will be forever indebted & grateful to her for what she has given me. She, for some reason... saw something in me & allowed me to be a part of, share & has allowed me to love her family. For that... there just aren't enough words of Gratitude.

Today, I am Thankful for this sweet face. Carson.

Thankful... 11/05/09

2009-11-05T08:00:00.001-07:00

is there any greater blessing then being a "(BME)"?

I don't think so! Ü

Today, i am thankful for love notes & the chance i have of being a BME!

how sweet is That!?

Thankful...

2009-11-04T08:34:00.005-07:00

Over at facebook, i have challenged my facebook friends this month, to update their 'status' at least once a day with something they are thankful that day. I love this idea, because even in such hard times for so many, i believe strongly that there is good to be found in every single day... no matter what! I know this to be true, because i practice it... every day... not just in the month of November when we all like to show extra appreciation and gratitude.
I keep a daily Gratitude journal. I love to count my blessings... every day. There is always something to be thankful for!

In the Spirit of being Thankful and this little challenge i have sent out to all of you, I thought that i would add a little bit of extra fun...

I want to share with you one of my gratitude journals. or at least... one for yourself! I want to make you one of your very own.
So! (pictures to come soon! I have to make it first! Ü This idea just came to me this morning) So! to be entered to Win... just leave me a comment telling me that you are commiting to the challenge. That you are going to update your "status" at least ONCE a DAY with something that you are grateful for that day. That is SO EASY! right?
I am hoping that this will make it just a little bit more fun.

The pictures i have added to this post has to do with what i am Thankful for today.

Today I am Thankful for a God. Mother Nature is a wonderous thing! It is amazing... the things she can do!

These picture are of mud! MUD! Mud in a street gutter in front of Bart's house. I took these pictures. I was amazed at what Mother Nature was creating.

You can see the shadow line created by the sun, just barely shining over the curb into the gutter. Where the sun had hit, it was drying out the mud and the mud was creating these spictacular curls! They were SUPER fragile! and would crack and break if you even breathed on them very hard.

but oh my goodness! They were so KEWL!

There are SO MANY 'life lessons' that i could take out of these pictures... but i will leave that one up to you-to take away from the pictures what you would like.

I just love them!

So, for today... I am thankful for a God that gives us Mother Nature who gives us amazing things to appreciate, if we only take the time to notice & appreciate!

Born Again American

2009-11-03T11:09:00.002-07:00

Thanks Daddy for sharing this with me!
I am proud to be an American. I feel so blessed, that i get to live in such an amazing place. A Land of freedom & prosperity. I have been given the chance to live in and visit other countries. Nothing compares to our great America. We are having our struggles... but instead of complaining about it;
Are we ALL doing our part & what we can... do make America Great again! What are YOU doing, to make our country a better place to be? I would LOVE to hear your ideas! Please leave me your comments!

click below:
Born Again American

2009-11-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

"Come said the wind to the leaves one day, Come o're the meadows and we will play.

Put on your dresses of scarlet and gold,

for summer is gone and the days grow cold.

~A Children's Song of the 1880's~

http://www.dennydavis.net/poemfiles/autumn.htm

What a difference...

2009-10-23T10:45:00.000-06:00

... a YEAR makes!

New Pictures coming soon of the Allen home Construction project!

We have UPDATES! and have taken some very anticipated steps forward!

Yay!

What makes YOU HaPpY?

2009-10-22T17:30:00.000-06:00

is it a hot bath?

how about time with a special someone?

being outdoors?

working in the garden?

baking in the kitchen?

a good hard run, early in the morning?

accomplishing a long term goal?

gerbera daisies?

reading a good book?

a chocolate cupcake?

ohhhh... how about a nice warm snickerdoodle?

serving others?

We all come from different life experiences and walks of life, yet i bet we have more things in common & things that tie us in more important ways then what we might think...

Most of us have at least one hobby or treat that instantly lifts our spirits. For some lucky people, it's their job that brings them fulfilment. For others, close relationships are the key to contentment. Or maybe a favorite hobby.

Are there ways to increase our levels of happiness, particularly in the middle of a downturn?

One of the things that i use every single day is a "gratitude journal", listing all the little things for which I feel thankful on that particular day or week, or sometimes even in a moment.

Counting your blessings and reliving a positive memory from the previous day, week, month or year are two of the most effective techniques for boosting happiness for me.

I LOVE the Fall. I am sure it is my favorite time of the year. I now have another reason to add to my list of why i LOVE it soooo much!

Can you guess what i will be writing about in my "gratitude journal"?

Here is a hint: FAMILY!

Want another hint? Keeeep scrolling... Ü

YuP! We're ENGAGED! Ü

HaPpY! Ü

Frosted Pumpkins - Mmmmm the edible kind! Ü

2009-10-22T17:00:00.000-06:00

Ingredients Cupcakes:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice
2-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
4 eggs
Frosting:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 box (16 ounces) confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed
Orange food coloring
Fine and coarse orange decorating sugar
Pretzel sticks or rods
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 12 mini cupcake pan indents and 12 regular indents with foil or paper liners. Line 6 jumbo cupcake indents with foil or paper liners.
2. For cupcakes: In a medium-size bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder and salt together until well blended; set aside.
3. Beat sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, pumpkin puree and eggs in a large bowl on low speed for 2 minutes or until combined. Add flour mixture and beat for 2 more minutes or until just combined.
4. Divide among liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
5. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes for the minis, 18 minutes for the regulars and 26 minutes for the jumbos, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.
6. For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl on high for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioner's sugar, vanilla and milk and beat until smooth and a good spreading consistency, 2 minutes. Add an additional tablespoon of milk if mixture is too thick.
7. Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint to different shades of orange with food coloring. Mound the frosting on top of cupcakes and make rounded. Roll the entire cupcake in the sugar to coat or roll just edges in sugar, alternating between fine and corase sugars as desired. To make indentations, press a wooden skewer on top of the sugared cupcake. Add pretzel sticks or rods as stems.

Thanks Parents.com

tis the Season for "BOO-ing"

2009-10-22T13:53:00.008-06:00

We miss Aunt Carrie.

Especially in times like these! When the "fun" holidays start to unravel. It is in times like these, that i want to be like her... i want to be her! Ü Aunt Carrie revels in Halloween & all things FUN! We were lucky enough to be the 'surprise' recipiants on occasion of a BOO treat on many a Halloween season!

I saw this post over @ TomKatStudio's (always just way too cute btw!) blog, and it made me miss my sister.

Have you ever been BOO'ed? or how bout DONE the BOO-ing?

OH! it is so much fun! it is door-bell ditching at it's finest! Just make a super fun Halloween treat & let the kiddo's make the deliveries!

So! in my sister's honor, i just had to share this adorable BOO, pre-made sign!

We will be BOO-ing this weekend!

Maybe something like...

this (by HostessJo.com - become a fan here) or This

so, don't be too frightened if you get a knock on your door this weekend... our bite only hurts for a little while...

Wish Carrie & all the cousins were with us!

Thanks TomKatStudio! SO CUTE! Become a FAN Here! Check our her ETSY here!

Magical Holiday Artists on Etsy: Byrum Art is having a Halloween Give Away!!

2009-10-12T10:41:00.000-06:00

This gals Halloween art is so awesome! Go to the link below to see how you could win one of her amazing art pieces~ good luck!~

Magical Holiday Artists on Etsy: Byrum Art is having a Halloween Give Away!!

Provo Halloween Half Marathon | Provo, Utah 84604 | Saturday, October 31, 2009 @ 7:00 AM

2009-10-12T10:21:00.001-06:00

Provo Halloween Half Marathon | Provo, Utah 84604 | Saturday, October 31, 2009 @ 7:00 AM

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Mom, are we there yet?

2009-10-09T10:01:00.006-06:00

... if you are a parent, I imagine that you have heard this prob. just as many times as i have.

" Mom, are we there yet? "

Well, today i feel like just throwing that question out there myself!

This past year has been chuck FULL of so many different & life changing things for me.

So many new things have come into my life.

In February, i finally started on the addition to my house; the project that I talked about for at least a year before that!
Around that same time... the end of February, I met the most amazing man! Since then, it has been a whirlwind love story! They just don't write them this good! I FOR SURE have one up on every romance novel out there! bet ya 5 bucks! Ü Seriously... they just don't write them this good! (some day i'll tell ya the full story! it's a good one!)
With my wonderful love story... my family size Doubled! That in itself has brought its many wonderful times and stresses.
All four kids are becoming of ages that has required me, as a Mother, to learn new things. Who would have thought an 11 year old boy, who has been a total Angel his entire childhood, could be so onry all of a sudden! geez! Ü
with everything under 'construction'; SugarPlumStitches.com has been on hold for WAY too long. I can't even begin to tell you how much i miss it! how much i miss creating and sewing and seeing adorable faces come to life! Just know i miss it!

it has seriously been the most wonderful year! 2009 has ROCKED IT! I am so blessed, and my happiness over flowith Ü

with that said...

" Mom, are we there yet!? "

I am feeling it! I am FINALLY starting to feel somewhat settled! I think that i am getting Close!

Construction is in it 'finishing stages'. It has taken WAY longer then i had hoped. There were so many retarted hick-ups along the way, but my gosh! We have gotten past them! we are sooo close! Prince Charming has been a Hero. I don't know that i could have finished this project without him.

walls are up & painted! roof is on! tile has been laid (*side note... who would have thunk that i would have such a hard time deciding what the past tense form of lay is!!! is it layed? or laid? weird! so i had to look it up! Does Layed even really exhist? hmmmm. all of you get your minds out of the gutter! ;) ) in the studio & in the mud room! The doors are hung and they have knobs and everything! I can even lock up my house now! wow! No more of the entire backside of my house being wide open to the 'elements'. i have Even been using the GARAGE! I know... get out! with a garage door opener in my Car even! I know!... Crazy! Ü and the snow isn't even here yet! just a little taste of how NICE that is going to be!
We are nearly past our electrical 'hick-up'. soon. Geez... Power? I am going to have POWER? Niiiiice! Ü We need some hard wood floor layed and then carpet & some fixtures hung... oh. so. close!

the love story fairytale continues to move forward and continues to open my eyes to things that i have never experienced! Who knew love could be this good!? Not me! My Prince Charming shows me every day how much he loves and cares about me.

even with our instantly larger family... everything seems to be just fitting and falling into place. We have had our struggles for each of us to find our 'spot' and our roles, but it feels like it is all coming together. I am learning new things, and hopefully becoming a better Mom.

it must or might be the fall crisp in the air, but i have missed SugarPlumStitches more then ever! With construction almost finished, i just don't know that i can wait much longer to create-so i am jumping the gun! I am starting! and it feels OH! so good! (see below or click here) Ü

So.... the answer to my question today...??

" Yes baby! We are Almost there! " Ü

To celebrate us "almost being there", here is my first of hopefully MANY offerings of the fall/winter season! YaY!

Come on IN my Pretty...

LOVE

2009-08-31T16:43:00.006-06:00

This summer, i have tried to involve my kids in being active & healthier. They did their first Triathalon! they were amazing! Plus we were all involved in several other organized races!
Well, the 'being active' bug has caught on! This makes me excited! Excited because we have been able to do several organized races together as a family this summer. I love that!

Being active comes with a bit of a price. Ü The kids have decided that they would each like to have an iPod of their own. Well... iPods are expensive... especially when you are buying 4 of them!!! So, Courtney, Drake, Sadie & Carson have pulled together and started their own little business!
(what...?? did you think "I" was going to buy FOUR iPods for them? heck NO!) Ü

It is called Move Me Designs.

The name has a few different meanings behind it... but for now... I just wanted to show you one of the adorable things that they have been working on for you!

Aren't these letter blocks ADORABLE!?
There are FOUR blocks. Each one with w/ a different letter.
In this particular set: L O V E
They have been painted RED and then slightly sanded and distressed. An adorable red floral paper has been added to the front, and sealed with a water-based sealer & then to top them off, some sparkles have been added.
Each block measures 4" x 4" x 1"
Their total weight is 20 ounces & they can be shipped first class or priority ($4.95)
This adorable set can be Yours for $6.00 + shipping cost.
(scatter JOY framed stitchery not included! Ü)
Add a little L O V E to your home, and help some kids stay active at the same time!

Have an idea of your own? Guess what! They will take custom orders! Let Move Me Designs know what letters and colors you would like used on your blocks... and they will custom build them for you!~ They are making 3 different sizes:
3" x 3"; 4" x 4"; & 5" x 5"

Stay tuned! because the kids have much more up their sleeves!
They are determined to get those iPods!

What makes You giddy?

2009-08-28T09:59:00.006-06:00

Life is full of Happy moments, but when i say 'giddy', I am talking about those things that are so fun & just make you want to giggle with JOY! Do you know what i am talking about? Those things that are not necessities-or esencial for general happiness in life, but only full of wants and dreams. Thing that don't always come along in life-but they do if you work hard & reach long. Those things that make you giggle with JOY when they do come. They turn out exactly how you had them pictured in your mind and yet only better! You know them... those things that just add that extra bit of excitement to your already happy life as a BONUS.

I know you have all experienced what i am talking about & I want to hear about them!!!

What makes you 'Giddy'?

I thought that it was time for a little update on the studio over @ SugarPlum Stitches! This was one of my Very 'giddy' moments. We are laying tile in the studio. Even as the Very first row started to go in... i got the giddy giggles! I was so excited! It is beautiful & even better than i had it pictured in my mind. As we got more and more of the tiles laid, I was more and more thankful that i didn't change my mind on the paint color. I LOVE IT!

Here is what we have been up too!

Snickerdoodle Dayze

2009-07-20T12:30:00.001-06:00

Summer tyme is a time for many favorites!

favorite foods

favorite activities

favorite colors

did i mention favorite foods? i love summer time foods!

watermelon

sweet corm

bbq

fresh veggies

and especially anything COLD! like otter pops & ice cream sandwhiches! MMMmmm My favorite ALL YEAR LONG cookie is the snickerdoodle! I love making them any time of the year for my family but in the summer... just add a scoop of icecream inbetween two of these soft yummies and you have yourself a delish treat for those HOT summer days!

What is your 'FAVORITE' of summer?

ENJOY:

Snickerdoodles
Cream: 1 1/2 cup sugar & 1 cup shortening
Add: 2 eggs & 1 teaspoon vanilla
Stir In:
2 3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt

Roll into balls approx. 1 1/2" - turn balls in cinnamon sugar
Bake 400° 8-10 minutes
cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes and then remove to paper bag/cooling rack to cool completely.

I don't know...

2009-07-20T10:20:00.000-06:00

Drake asked me a question today.
"Mom, why does a mosquito bite itch?"

I had no idea.

this got me to thinking.

my kids are going to have questions! am i going to know what answers to give them? the correct answers!

i do not have all the answers i want to have them, especially as a Mother.

That kinda makes me nervous.

Now mind you... I don't think the salvation of my children or myself for that matter, lies on wether or not i know why a mosquito bite itches, but wether or not i am a good Mother does matter.

There is no job that compares to a Mothers.

I want to be a good teacher. or at least one that guides my children in the right direction.

There is so much that my children need to learn, and if they don't learn it from me... will they learn it correctly?

I want to be able to teach them discipline
They need to know the importance of being a hard worker
I want them to know of the importance of achieving goals.
They certainly need to know the value of money.
I want them to know that education is important.
It is vital to me that my children are good citizens. That they contribute to their country & communities that they live in.
It is also very important that my children are polite & that they have good manners. I want them to see and recognize all that is done for them by all those around them.
I want them to be Thankful!

They need to be honest
It is important that they have faith
I want them to learn how to be healthy. Eating & Exercise & to respect their bodies they have been blessed with.
This life sometimes brings dissapointment. How do i teach them to handle disapointment well?
Life also brings change. Change can sometimes be hard to accept, but it is a given. How do i teach them to deal with those changes that life will bring to them?

The list goes on and on...

it can be so overwhelming!

I've always been told to teach by example. I am doing my very best to live the best life i know how, but I sometimes feel that i am falling short in so many ways. I am trying to teach by example, but sometimes it doesn't seem to be enough.

Especially now that i have been given such an amazing chance to be a Mother Figure to 2 more beautiful babies that i love very much, and that i don't want to let down or disappoint.
I don't want to disappoint my children
I don't want to disappoint my parents
I don't want to disappoint my Heavenly Father-with this great responisbility He has given me.
&

I certainly don't want to disappoint myself.

Being a Mother is so important to me. My greatest dream is to have my children be successful little human beings. The thought that-it is up to me... it is a little frightening to say the least.

I don't know all the answers. I trip... a lot. How can that make me a good Mother? a good Companion?

I can only hope that the love i have for them & can show them every day - just might make up for my short comings. That is for certain.

i love them.

I thank God for all those who have taught me & who are teaching me in my own life.

Thank you friends for being my Rocks!

I don' tknow it all... but i will certainly do my very best.

What are some of the things that you have learned being a PARENT?

Did it help you to be a better PARENT?

BTW...

Why do mosquito bites itch?

Mosquitoes are a bit like flying syringes. Their large needle nose, called a proboscis, is ideal for quickly landing on a victim, withdrawing a bit of blood and then taking off for the next target. You may not notice a mosquito bite initially, but within an hour or two after a bite, you may have raised red bumps from mosquito bites that itch like crazy.
When a mosquito bites, she leaves behind saliva. In fact, the saliva present in mosquito bites serves the mosquito well, since it works as an anti-coagulant. These means the mosquito can quickly draw blood without catching your attention.
The saliva injected when a mosquito bites causes our bodies to produce a histamine response. We have a slight allergy response, and thus our skin around the bite area gets itchy. This can actually be a good thing, even if it’s an annoying one, because mosquito bites can transfer disease. In the US, risk of West Nile Virus is the main concern. In other countries, mosquito bites may transfer malaria and other quite nasty germs. If our bodies didn’t respond with the itch factor to mosquito bites, we might not realize we’d been bitten. Though knowing you’ve been bitten may not prevent the spread of disease, you can tell your doctor about it if you develop severe flu symptoms a few days or weeks later.
Some people build up a tolerance to mosquito bites. They may barely notice when they’ve been bitten, and the skin may not swell up. This is sort of like getting allergy shots. Small doses of mosquito saliva over time can cause us to become immune to the saliva. Adults more typically have less of a reaction to mosquito bites than do children. This immunity can wear off after a while, and an adult who hasn’t had mosquito bites for a few years might become itchy again after receiving a few new mosquito bites.

end tables & beadboard!

2009-07-20T10:08:00.001-06:00

i love these end tables that fill in as a 'coffee table' too!

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A Sneak Peek...

2009-07-10T16:43:00.000-06:00

AKKKK! I can hardly STAND it!

I just can't WAIT to show you!

So, I thought that i would come in and give you a 'sneak peek' @ what i have been doing today over at the

SugarPlum Stitches Studio....

SO EXCITED! Tell me what ya think...

(i didn't even get nearly as much paint in my hair as yesterday! maybe i am getting the hang of this! Ü)

Simplicities Of Summer

2009-07-10T09:39:00.001-06:00

Simplicities Of Summer
Originally uploaded by Confused-Hair

Life can be crazy & hectic...

mine lately is of no exception! Simplicity has been at the forefront of my mind for weeks now. I have desired a more simplistic day...

Lately our time has been taken up by so many things. Summer hit with a BANG!

traveling (almost 3,000 miles on ol' Bessie)

baseball games & practices

construction-my home has been turned over on its head-no bedroom for me; which means no closet!-no where to fit MY bed-the dirt! OH! the dirt!

my yard is completely torn apart. OH! how i miss my yard. beautiful green grass and flowers...

a new Love-& what to do with all that comes along with that! Ü even Love & Happiness can be a little stressful sometimes! Especially when each of us has a house to maintain... not to mention that one of the two is completely under construction!

work

visiting family

entertaining children

did i mention the dirt?

Now, while that all sounds like a bunch of complaining... I really do have to say that i am so thankful! EVERYTHING in my life right now is absolutely wonderful! (minus the dirt!) Just all of it put together... is chaotic! Somewhere in there, in the mix, it would be nice to be able to slow down just a bit. To be able to simplify things & find some quiet.

In my thoughts of simplicity, i came across this blog post:

The Homespun Heart

I loved reading it. Plus it got me to thinking... really, what is simplicity. I always LOVE to look up the actual meaning of words in the dictionary. Here is what i found for SIMPLICITY:

*the quality of being simple or uncompounded

i think that this might be what we all are looking for. a desire to weed out all the unnecessary clutter of things and activities that we have over running our lives. Time to breath and just enjoy my surroundings sounds wonderful.

another part of the defination of "simplicity" that i read was this:

*ease: freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort.

Now that got me really to thinking. Thinking about our purpose in this life... here on this earth. We were told that this life would not be easy. I don't think that i would like it to be. What sense of accomplishment comes from that? If everything were easy... how boring!

For me, there aren't too many feelings that top the one that i get when i have accomplished something that was very hard for me. I have seen a fair share of challenges in my short life so far. I am proud of who i am & the things that i have been able to accomplish. In over coming those difficult challenges and things, we learn and grow & become more like our Heavenly Father.

Although i desire those quiet moments of peace and serenity & whole heartedly believe that they are important to my sanity!... I too, have to say how thankful i am that this life isn't always easy. It is sometimes hard to balance; but I am learning!

I am thankful for the chances that i have to say... "I did it!!!" and be proud.
Sometimes just finding those moments of simplicity are those huge accomplishments! Ü

Getting Closer...

2009-07-08T15:30:00.000-06:00

Hi All! I just can't tell you how much i miss SugarPlumStitches & creating! However... I am getting closer to the completion of a project that has been in the works for over a year now. Which means that i am that much closer to creating again! I have been working on the addition of the NEW SugarPlum Stitches Studio! (not to mention a garage, two bedrooms, a bathroom & 1/2, dining room & family room!-pshewww!)

but it all started because i wanted a place to create & a place for SugarPlum Stitches to call home.
I am getting so excited! Excited for new things & especially a new space for creating! I miss it so much!
Soooo...
Just thought that i would come in and get started on our NEW BLOG! and give you an update. I hope that you come back often for more updates. Until i am up and running fully, i will come in and post some of my favorite things here to share with you.

Well, i know you aren't as excited as i am... but I at least hope that you share some of the excitement with me.

xoxoxo Thanks for all your love and words of encouragement. Can't wait to see you again SOON!

Raggedy Haven Orphanage

More new life...

increasing by fourteen...

Giveaway Winner!

YOU are Magnificent!...

4th of July - American style!

i love you... do you?

New GIVEAWAY!

Giveaway...

Signs of Summer

Sneak Peek....

Have you been inspired today?

My New Life

i heart daisies!

does anyone even really EAT Peeps?...

i love Chestnut Junction...

Sunshine in my Future?

Winter Storm Warning... another 3-8 inches *sigh*

Influence of a Mother...

Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?

"Pillar of Heaven" Nativity by Kim Lawrence PRE-ORDER for 2010

My Sister Carrie...

Facebook Fan Page Giveaway WINNERS!

Facebook Fans Giveaway

Keeping up with...: It's all about the countdown!

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Thankful...

Thankful...

ksl.com - Meteor the size of oven lights up the night sky, alarms Utahns

Thankful... 11/07/09

Thankful... 11/06/09

Thankful... 11/05/09

Thankful...

Born Again American

What a difference...

What makes YOU HaPpY?

Frosted Pumpkins - Mmmmm the edible kind! Ü

tis the Season for "BOO-ing"

Magical Holiday Artists on Etsy: Byrum Art is having a Halloween Give Away!!

Provo Halloween Half Marathon | Provo, Utah 84604 | Saturday, October 31, 2009 @ 7:00 AM

Mom, are we there yet?

LOVE

What makes You giddy?

Snickerdoodle Dayze

I don't know...

end tables & beadboard!

A Sneak Peek...

Simplicities Of Summer

Getting Closer...

Winter Storm Warning... another 3-8 inches sigh