Family Binder

So, I've seen some examples around the blogging world of Family Binders (aka Household Binders).

I try to be organized. I really do. My husband is naturally more organized than I am (lucky!), and I'd like to become that way. :)

When I stumbled upon I Heart Organizing a while back, I was so amazed! I never thought I'd be able to be that organized, so out went those thoughts! And then fast forward a year or two...

I am now craving to be organized. It must be that my husband is rubbing off on me or something... or maybe I'm just growing up. So, now I'm looking to make a Family Binder in the next week (let's see if that gets done!). I want to create my own pages but also use inspiration from other organized people. :)

So, here's some examples of what has inspired me...

From Jen @ I Heart Organizing

Jen's documents that she has in her etsy store -  here

Setting up a Household Binder Post

From Mandi @ Finding Home

Roxann @ The Way I Am

Christy @ 3 Little Zzz's for Me

Jen @ The Deor Scene Blog

Alana @ Taylor Made Home

Jenn @ Clean & Scentsible

Danielle @ Organizational Hysteria

Jada @ Jada's Blog

Kathy @ Lovelace Files

See, how exciting! Don't you just want to make a Household Binder too?

So... I am hoping to get a complete binder done this week with my own creative spin on the pages.

Wish. Me. Luck.

Fabric Covered Magazine Holders DIY

Wow! Sorry for the lack of craftiness--it's been on my mind just not on my blog. :)

Today I wanted to show you how I made these cute fabric covered magazine holders!

I wanted some color in my office, and for inspiration I picked up fabric a while ago for my office colors. My table (which I should post at some point...) teal color was from the teal found in the fabric!

And for the first time... EVER, I have made a photo tutorial... :)

Here was my cost break down:
*Fabric - I had (got on sale a while ago...); maybe a couple bucks.
*Magazine Holders from IKEA - free from my grandma who was cleaning out her house.
*Mod Podge - Again, free from my grandma.
*Brush (to apply Mod Podge) - 1 out of a 10 pack from the dollar store.
Total cost - about a couple bucks and 10 cents. :)

The photos spoke for themselves. I tried Picasa 3 for the first time too...

I like being crafty.

But, I need to work on my photo/lighting skills.

I'll get there some day!

In the meantime, I am linking up to....

Jane @ Finding Fabulous

Cindy @ My Romantic Home

Rachelle @ Fingerprints on the Fridge






Gay @ It's a Hodgepodge Life

 Never mind, it's closed (it's only Friday at 5:30)! But she has some good links... Maybe I'll catch her link up next week!

Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating with Kate (Sorry, the button didn't work for me!)

Joy @ Momma's Kinda Crafty

Holly @ 504 Main

I will try to get Holly's button to work...

Maria @ Joyful Stamper And yes, I totally put my name in the spot where I should have put the title of my project. :)

Kari @ Newlyweds on a budget

Oh my goodness. I could spend HOURS looking through party link ups! There are so many crafty people out there!

Life Update

Oh how it's hard to be away from the one you love. (Hi honey! Miss you!)

We've been seeking direction, asking for patience, and looking for answers to lifes hardships and questions a lot lately. Sometimes I look at our life and ask "why"... why is life so hard? Why can't God just give us the answers to our prayers, our hearts cries, and our desire to have things go the way we planned. Then I read this...

God's 3 Answers to Your Prayers:
1. Yes.
2.  Not Yet.
3. I have something better in mind.
What a reminder! Sometimes we are in constant need of this reminder, that He knows what is best and He has a better plan in mind!

So, here I am... in Florida looking for a teaching position. I felt as if I needed to at least give it a try before closing the door--and I'm so glad for my husband's support! Teaching in Florida is a little different than in Michigan. Today, in an interview, I was told about one of Florida's laws regarding how many students can be in a classroom. In a k-3rd grade classroom, the maximum number of students is 18. In grades 4th and 5th it is 22. In Michigan, there are classrooms up to 27 kids! Wow!

I guess I just don't want to be afraid to do something different... I don't want to be afraid of change. We are in a state where we do not have kids, not fully established, and have our whole lives ahead of us--taking a risk now would mean change but it would also be an adventure.

We just need to keep this in mind:
To not forget to "listen for God's voice in everything we do & everywhere we go; He's the one that will keep us on track." Proverbs 3:6

One day I want to be able to look back and to think Wow! Trusting God, and following where He led us was the BEST plan ever; far better than we ever imagined!

So, God, please lead us where You want us!

And please make it obvious! ;)

Away

via pinterest

I'm living life with curiosity these days. I have an interview coming up plus some possible interviews. Sorry I have not been my bloggy self lately. ;)

I'm excited for the unknown (even though I'm nervous)... and for God's plans to unfold in our lives. Bear with me through the next two weeks, and I will be back....

See you... sometime soon!

Black and White Chocolate Chip Clouds

I really love, love Gina's Skinny Recipes!

Gina has a great selection of recipes; all with weight watchers points and nutritional values! I'm not doing weight watchers but I have friends who do it. :)

When I saw this recipe for cookies, I KNEW I needed to try it!

What you will need:

• 3 large egg whites (room temperature)
• 1/8 tsp cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (I used mini dehydrated marshmallows instead!)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

*You could get creative with what you put in it. I put in mini dehydrated marshmallows with chocolate chips to make it like a Smore. However, I plan on making them with butterscotch and chocolate chips next time (my hubby's favorite combo)!


Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.

1. Mix egg whites and cream of tarter together with a mixer on high speed until it's really nice and fluffy (creating small peaks).
2. SLOWLY add in sugar--a small amount at a time. Make sure to mix well after each time you add it in.
3. SLOWLY add in the vanilla. Mix on high until it becomes stiffer peaks (if you stop the mixer, lift it out of the batter--it should still have a peak that stays in place)
4. Put about a table spoon of mixture for each cookie on the cookie sheet (I used a tablespoon and a small spatula).
5. Put it in the oven for 35-45 minutes (35 worked fine for me!)

This is 2 batches

Take them out, wait a minute and then put them on a cooling rack.

Yes, they may crack a little or have lots of crumbs...

But they are delicious, addicting, and unique!


Thank you for the recipe Gina over at Gina's Skinny Recipes! I love your site! :)



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