Something for Momma

On Saturday afternoon, baby girl was fast asleep. Dinner was in the oven. Hubs was working on something outside. And I was enjoying the quiet time. There's not much of that around here. So you really enjoy those few precious moments.

And I thought, why not make something. I took a look in that folder. I tell you, my hubby just laughs at this folder on my laptop. Full of all sorts of projects. And I saw this bracelet. Perfect I thought! It's definitely turning to Fall around here. Not necessarily jacket weather. But we don't have to have the AC on, 24/7!! That's ALWAYS something to be happy about. :)

With Fall in the air, I want to start bringing out my boots, scarves, and stuff like that. To me, this bracelet falls into that category. Way back when I was still pregnant. Like in the Spring, I went on a bit of a craft supplies, shopping spree. Buying lots and lots of supplies. For all these projects I was going to work. Not everything got done. This is one of those projects....

I managed to make 3. But not before hubs came inside. And saw me twisting wire around a jar. To which, he asked if I was making Slinkys now. Funny man!! But before you wrap the bracelets, they do sorta look like a Slinky. Just more stable.

Honestly, this was a nice project to work on. Not too hard. A little mindless wrapping of supplies. And now, I have a fun bracelet. That I won't mind, if it gets dirty. Or baby spit all over. :)Now I'm thinking about those things. What would be OK, to wear, with my sweet baby girl. Oh, she just rocks my world! ~Chels

Easy Peasy!!

I took to P.S.-I Made This again. :) And I found a really fun and easy project. For a Sequin Bracelet!! Yes, I just said a sequin bracelet. The idea is pretty genius if you ask me. And this is such an inexpensive project!!

Sometimes, I make things a little harder on myself, than they need to be. Like I had a few of these supplies on hand. Why? I have no clue!! Maybe something left over from a college project? Who knows! But I had 2 packages of sequins. They were packs of multicolored, different sized sequins. But I thought I could use them. :)

Can you guess where this is going? Well, it's taken me 3 hours....this far! To just separate all the sequins. Ugh! But I think it will make for a nicer looking bracelet. I had a bracelet that broke a year or 2 ago. At the time, I bought some of that beading elastic. To fix my bracelet. And never used it. Another thing I had on hand.

Like I said, I had a bracelet that had broken. I never found all the beads. So I had a handful left, sitting in my jewelry box. Because I had pretty much everything, I didn't head to the store. So I don't have a needle. It's taken a while to make these, but I've almost got 2 bracelets made. They are so easy to make. It would probably go a lot faster, if I had that needle....

Well, if you just go out and buy the supplies, I'd say, you'd have your bracelets made in no time! They are so fun. And I LOVE that they look much more expensive, than they are. Between, don't you just adore the gold bracelets in the picture. I wonder where those are from. If you know, please let me know! ~Chels

Beat the Heat with a Headband

Do you remember me telling you about P.S.-I Made This? I've been working on some of the projects. What I like about this site is, all the projects are very easy to make. And they're pretty easy on your checkbook. Do you know what I mean?

Honestly, most of the projects, on this site are simple. I've been using lots of things, that I find around the house. You should know this about me, I'm not crafty. I don't have lots of craft supplies. Heck, I've been using most of my hubby's things, to make my little crafts. That's why I LOVE this site!!

One of the crafts I was most excited about, was this Braided Headband. You see, in the desert heat, my hair is usually up in a messy ponytail, or bun. I figured, a few of these fun headbands, would be a nice change of pace. Something to "spice" up my 'do!

The site recommends using leather, some ball chain, and a shoelace. Me? I had cheapo purse, that had gotten a hole in it. Something that can't be fixed. I took my scissors to it. Then I got an old chain. Am I the only one that does this? I buy a necklace. Then I realize the chain isn't long enough. So I buy a long chain. Now I have a bunch of chains that aren't being used. Cheapo ones. Like from Wally World jewelry. :)

Literally, I went around my house. Hunting down supplies. Ribbons, old shirts, whatever could be braided. And I've been braiding away. I've got 4 headbands made. Super easy! It's taken me longer, to find the supplies, than to make the headbands. This would be a fun craft project to work on, with little girls. Anyone that can braid, can make one of these headbands. So fun! ~Chels

Life Changing...and Sweet and Sour Chicken!!

This is blog post, that we've all been waiting for. The one when I tell you, I'm really enjoying cooking. Oh, and I found a blog that will change your life! Because it's got the most AMAZING and DELICIOUS recipes around!! Go immediately here, and follow Made It. Ate It. Loved It.

Back to the post. Around here, we enjoy oriental food. Probably a little too much! But in this small town, there's not really a place to go. And you know, get good food. There is a place, on the college campus. But it's only open Monday-Friday, from August-May, from 11am-2pm. Not really making for the easiest place to dine. If you know what I mean....

Other than that, you can drive an hour away, end enjoy PF Changs. But for us, that's just not going to happen. It's like a once every 6 months, kind of thing. We do have a local place. But the only thing that is good, is the beef and broccoli. Oh, and the prices!! But we crave sweet and sour chicken, lo mein noodles, and good egg rolls.

When we dive up north, like once a year, we also eat at Panda Express. Like 5 times, in 2 days!! I know, we're crazy. But I so wish, that we had a Panda Express near us. The closest one, is 3 hours away! Can you see why, I need to learn how to cook? And why this blog, is making me so excited.

Well, not only have I found good egg rolls, at Costco! I can't remember the brand, but they're in the freezer section. Oh, and I've seen small packages at Wally World. But you pay less, if you buy the big box. Then I found this good lo mein recipe. I know! The stars were lining up. Lastly, I found this recipe for sweet and sour chicken!!

Can you tell what we're having for dinner? Um, hello! Look at this picture!! I just have to make this. I've already been to Albertsons twice. And it's not even lunchtime. Can I make it to dinner? Oh, the Honky Tonk Hubby is going to be so excited!! ~Chels

Earring Making....

We are invited to a few weddings this summer. Oh, only 5! And I don't want to go out and buy 5 separate outfits. Especially fancy maternity clothes. It just seems like a waste of money. If I wasn't pregnant, than I might feel differently. But that's still a lot of dressy clothes....

Being that most of the people going to all these weddings....are the same people, I need to change things up!! I've decided on 3 dresses. That should cover me for the weddings, a few Bridal Showers, and a few Baby Showers. :) It's going to be a busy summer for our friends!!

But I figured I could have fun with my accessories. Heck, I thought, I could even make a few things. First, I bought some really inexpensive shoes. 3 identical pair, brand new, for a total of $15! I glittered a fun pair....for a really fun wedding! Not too hard. Spray glue, lots of glitter, than my hubs sealed them....with some sort of clear spray. Fun, easy, and inexpensive!

I've also been making trips to Hobby Lobby. Pretty regularly. Using lots and lots of 40% coupons. I've made a bracelet, a necklace, and a fun hair accessory. See were I'm going here? I've been trying to make some fun stuff, to liven up my "fancy" outfits.

Then I took to Pinterest. And found this fun picture. Unlike most "Pins" on Pinterest, this one had a link. That worked. And took me to this website. Where I fell in LOVE!!! Hello!!! P.S.-I Made This....I LOVE YOU!!

I really liked the look of these earrings. I know, they're totally over the top! But for one wedding that we're going to, they're perfect! I just so happened to have some rose earrings. Very similar to these. Our local 99 cent store recently went out of business....and for no good reason at all, I stocked up on their flower earrings. :) I don't know when I'll use 30 pairs....but for $2.50 I couldn't leave them behind. :)

I also had a rhinestone necklace, that had broke. It sat in my jewelry box....for 6 years. Well, I dug it out. It's very similar to the trim in the picture. I also dug through my hubby's tackle box. And I found some new fishing string. And Krazy Glue! Score. All I had to do, was find the bottom rhinestone things. I actually just went to Wally World. And found some beautiful rhinestone buttons. I think I got 2 buttons for $3. Not bad!

This is what I'm working on right now. I've actually got a few other projects from P.S.-I Made This. I can't wait to share them with you! But you should definitely take a look around this website. I'm so glad that Pinterest lead me there. :) ~Chels

Mexican Cornbread Bake

I tried out a new recipe today. Lola is always blogging about these yummy Gooseberry Patch Free Recipes. And there is a free one every week! I seen this one on Wednesday. And finally made it to the store today. To buy a few of the things I really needed to make it.

It's been really hot around here. So my hubby grilled up some chicken, I made a Mexican salad, and this yummy cornbread bake. Dinner was heaven today! A little much. But I really think you should try it out too! I will definitely be checking the free recipes from now on. ~Chels

Mexican Cornbread Bake

1 lb. ground beef
4-1/2 oz. can chopped green chiles
1 onion, chopped
2 t. Mexican seasoning
1 T. chili powder
8-oz. can Mexican-style tomato sauce
8-1/2 oz. pkg. cornbread mix

In a skillet over medium heat, brown beef and drain. Add chiles, onion, seasoning and chili powder; cook until onion is tender. Add tomato sauce and simmer. Prepare cornbread batter according to package directions; pour half the batter into a lightly greased 2-quart baking dish. Spoon beef mixture over batter; top with remaining cornbread batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until cornbread is golden. Serves 4 to 6.

Cute Jewelry

Today has pretty much been a lazy day for us. No excuse. We've just been lazy. I think we just needed to re-energize our batteries. And with that, comes wasting some time on the internet. :) I found this shop. They have some really cute jewelry. Along with really good prices! Because if you like western stuff, you know that it can get really pricey. Here are 3 of my favorite pieces.

This is a brooch. I like that it's a pair of boots, but it still has some cute details. And it's only $14. They have a few different colors and styles too!



This bracelet is my favorite. It's simple, yet captures the western feel. I like how they alternate the horses and horseshoes. And the rope detail just makes me smile. The cost is $15.



Lastly, are these earrings. I like that they're button type earrings. And the bull rider reminds me of my hubby! But they gorgeous. And only $9 for all that detail!



These are such cute pieces! I'm definitely going to hint at these for my birthday and anniversary. Because these are pieces that I could use on a regular basis. This shop has many, many items. Not just western. If you like jewelry, I would recommend taking a look here. ~Chels