Grinch Wreath

I got the opportunity to decorate the Christmas Wreath for my work. I guess every year at the hospital they have all the different departments decorate a small tree and a wreath to go up for auction. All the proceeds go toward The Auxillary...they use the money during the year for random things around the hospital, to make it a better place.

So, I volunteered to decorate the wreath...I'm too poor to do very many crafty projects, so I saw this as a great oppurtunity to give in to my crafting bug. Once I got the funds donated for the wreath, I got to decorating! I decided to go with a Grinch theme. I really love the part of the movie where his heart grows three sizes. So, that's what I went with. I used this adorable quote.

To make this sign, I just ModPodged the some cute scrapbook paper to the entire board. I covered it in a layer of ModPodge, and then I ModPodged all the letters on and put yet another layer on top of all that!

I did the same thing with these hearts...scrapbook paper and ModPodge.

 Then I glued them all together to show his heart growing three times.

I looked all over for the perfect grinch...I wanted a happy looking one (which, apparently, is not that easy to find). I finally found this cute little guy at Barnes and Noble. I really had a hard time letting him go...

Then I got some cute, Suess looking ornaments and I attached them using sparkly, glittery, Christmas-y pipe cleaner. I twisted the pipe cleaner all up to make it look even more Suess-like.

My awesome co-worker found some green lights to put on the wreath, and I think it added the perfect touch! I really had a hard time letting it go...I wanted to keep it all for myself.

I really love how it turned out! I still don't know if it sold or not...but I'm secretly hoping it didn't, so I can take it back for myself! :)

Merry Christmas!

Couch to 5K: Check

We did it!! On October 1, 2011 I ran my first 5K! I am so proud of me and my friend! We ran 3/4 of it and we did it in 43 minutes! That's a 13 minute mile...which, in my book, is pretty good!

It was a beautiful run with nice, cool weather. And great company! If running a 5K is not on your bucket list, add it!

Couch to 5K: Update

Annnddd....I'm still working on it! I'm taking the Tortoise approach. Slow and steady. I've been going 2 or 3 times a week still, with my friend Jill. We have decided to sign up for a 5K that is on October 1st!! 

I  bought some actual running shoes today! The shoes I have been running in are at least FOUR years old...and were given to me by my generous roommate, because she didn't need them.

I went to Teton Running to get shoes fitted to me. They had me run on a treadmill while they video tapes my feet. They analyzed the way I run, brought out a selection of shoes that would support my feet, and I chose which ones were most comfortable. 

Went running in the shoes this evening...LOVED it! :)

I never thought I would say this...but I am super enjoying running! I crave it on the days I don't run!

Wow.

Hair Treatment: Olive Oil

I am always looking for simple hair and face treatments. It's easy to find homemade treatments...but they always seem to have a million ingredients OR ingredients that you have to go to a specialty store for and spend $60 bucks on. So, I was super pumped when I saw this one.

One ingredient: Olive Oil.

I was super excited to try this out! The directions are:

Use 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil (more or less depending on hair length and thickness). I'm pretty sure I used 4-5 tablespoons. The idea is just to saturate your hair. You'll want to massage it into your scalp also. Just put it on dry hair.

I'll admit...I was excited until I actually started putting OIL on my hair...then, I got a little freaked out. Am I seriously putting OIL on my hair?? How gross is that?? But, I pushed through it...and boy am I glad!

So, after you put the oil on your hair, you'll leave it for 30-45 minutes. I've heard people will wrap a warm, damp towel on their hair (turban style), some people use plastic wrap, some just leave it.

I used a warm, damp towel.

After the time is up, just wash your hair with shampoo (it took me two shampoos to feel like it was all out). I did not use conditioner. If you have time, allow it to air dry.

The rest of that day, my hair didn't feel super awesome. BUT, the next day, after I shampooed, conditioned, and blow dried my hair...basically treated it normal...I was super happy about the results. My hair was (and still is, 6 days later) super soft and shiney! I think I will probably do this treatment once a month. I'm sure it will prolong hair cuts (which I am super addicted to...but can be pricey).

So, try it out and let me know how it worked for you!!

Project Run

And this folks, is why I am starting Project Run. It is all too true! I have always wanted to be a runner. I have never been a runner. I did soccer when I was in 10th grade. I LOVED it! I actually didn't hate life when I ran. Unfortunately, by the end of the year, I had shin splints. And ever since then, when I tried to run, I would get shin splints. So I started hating it. I also hate all the jiggling that happens when I run...but, I just need to set that aside.

I recently discovered an awesome running program! It's called Couch to 5k. I am currently on the "couch". I love this program! It is a great transition for somebody who is not a runner. I have been doing it for about a week and I have no sign of shin splints! I still don't enjoy all the jiggling going on while I run...but, the only way to get past that is to keep on running!

I'll keep you posted! Hopefully I will be 5k ready in just a couple months! Woot!

Homemade Bread!

This is my second attempt EVER at homemade bread! My mom is the expert bread maker...her bread is well known with our friends and family. So, I always have mooched off of her goodness...One time, when I was in high school, I tried to make her bread and...well...I'll be honest, my dad and brothers used it as a football... :( So I shyed away from bread making for a while! But, now that I am a wife and mother I have felt the desire to refine my cooking/baking skills! And it has been fun! This is my most recent attempt at the bread making! I must say, I was pretty darn proud! It turned out great and our house smelled SO yummy and happy!! :) 


I did not take any pictures during the making process. I wish I would have! But, here is the recipe:


3 cups of warm water
3 cups of flour
1 heaping tablespoon yeast


Mix well then let it rise for about 20 minutes. It should double in size.


Then you will add:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tablespoon salt


You will mix that. As you are mixing you will add 2-4 cups of flour. Enough to make it so it's not sticky, but you don't want it too dry either. You will mix for 10 minutes on high.


Put the dough in the bread pans. Let it raise for 20-30 minutes. It will almost double again. Bake for 30 minutes at 350.


If you want to make rolls only bake for 20 minutes.


This recipe made me two loaves and a few rolls. I probably could have not made the rolls and made the loaves a touch bigger. But they turned out ok, all in all.


Look how beautifully golden they are!

Mmm...it was sooo yummy. Smothered in butter and honey. It took me right back to my childhood, eating delicious bread with my family!

Mmmmm...this is making me hungry...maybe I'll go make some more!!! :)

Name Board

This is something that I did a while ago, but it is one of my favorite crafts to do. 

First, you get a board. I found this scrap wood in the wood pile at my parent's house. Free is best! :) But you can also get wood for super cheap at Home Depot in their "left over" pile.

Then, I went to the scrapbook store and I grabbed a bunch of paper that spoke to me (in the colors of my daughter's nursery)...I spent $10 on paper and ended up only using half of it...So, I cut the paper into strips and glued them on the board with Mod Podge.

This is how it turned out after I had glued all the paper down.

Then we went to my wonderful aunt's house to use her cricut machine (which is soooo awesome!!) and cut out my daughter's name and two hearts...and I mod podged the letters on the board. And this is the final result!

I'm really happy with how it turned out...I LOVE the paper that I found! There are a few flaws...the board is a little warped and the paper got crinkled when I glued it on...so there are a few wrinkles, but I don't think they'll be that noticeable once we get it on her wall. Not too bad for my first time!

I have actually made another one or two of these since...and they turned out even better. I'll post pictures of them in another post. If you would like to order one, contact me! I would love to make one for you!