SUYL - What Do you Make/Sell

Recently I've been making burp cloths... and a bunch of other baby goodies for my little man, who will be here soon..

Custom Burp Cloths!

I did a giveaway last week here's the link to see some pics of my recent work!

I also have a separate Art Blog - 3rd Floor Art - that I have done a bunch of painting projects.

- Wedding Plaques

- Canvas Bags

- Custom Canvas Art

- Rocking Chairs

- Stools

Check it out!

SUYL - Best Parenting Advice

SUYL- Best Parenting Advice

I still consider myself a new mommy.

I've only had this job for 2 years.

So, Im more interested this week in reading other people's advice/tips

But I've learned a LOT in the past 2 years.

So I have a few tid bits to pass on ..

1. This too shall pass.

I Always always remember saying this in my head during the tough times in parenting.. One in particular was weaning SJ from Breastfeeding.

Girl could not get enough..

And Momma .. was TIRED!

I had to let her go COLD TURKEY one night and we never looked back.

It was a rough 3 days of screaming and crying.. but she got through..

and all I kept thinking in my head over and over was this phrase...

This too shall pass

and it did

2. Enjoy every moment (even the not so fun ones)

Even though some moments are not all bows and giggles and smiles..

I do look back on the sleepless nights and want my little baby back..

So Im really excited to have a 2nd baby.. because I think hubs and I were so "worried" all the time with what our tiny miracle was or was not doing that it seemed to go soooo fast..

Now second time around I think we'll be more relaxed .. because we've already been through it once.

3. Your instinct is usually right...

This advice I guess goes more for Momma's.. They say a mother's insticnt is usually right, and I found myself in sooo many cases .. esp. when SJ was teeny weeny.. She couldnt tell me what was wrong, but often times I just "knew" ... and I was right!

Like if she was hungry.. sleeping a weird way, too cold, too hot, needed some air/or a walk.. etc..

Ugh, I cannot beleive my little bubba is so big now..

I am so so excited to meet #2..

I just hope I can give as much love, affection, attention and good mommy things to the 2nd one as I did with SJ.... I need some advice about that Mommas!

SUYL - Marriage Advice

SUYL- Marriage Advice

Today over at SUYL Kelly's Korner were giving our best marriage advice.

Since i've only been married 5 years, I still think I have a lot to learn/figure out.

Mathew and I have survived many many large events. Being separated when he was stationed in NC, a 13 month deployment to Iraq, moving all over the place, and now we're finally settled.

It seems that we sometimes stress over the silly small things and forget all the HUGE things we got through as a couple, and this helps me reflect on how blessed we are.

I think its important to remember how you got to where you are in present day as couples.

Day to day things may irritate you, but I've learned to pick your battles, and sit back and sometimes remain quiet, when I could really open my big mouth and start a huge argument... often times it just isnt worth it, and I dont like fighting.
Mathew and I can both be very stubborn, but we try not to let it get the best of us, and we always try to make up after we have a little tiff.. ha!

I think also taking time out for you as a couple is extremely important. Like Kelly said, children are important, but you need to focus on you as a couple.

We're attempting to plan a small getaway in the fall without Samantha.. only 3 days.. Of course we're nervous about leaving our baby behind, but I think it will be the BEST thing for us.

And it may be the first and last getaway we take before baby #2 arrives in February.

So all in all, Im still learning on how to be a good wife and supportive partner. I am interested in reading everyone else's advice and tips for a good marriage!

Happy Friday!

SUYL - We're Pregnant!

Well, I guess I'll take this opportunity to announce to the blogger world that:

We're expecting #2!

I've been dying to post about this, but we heard the heartbeat on this past Monday, and everything is progressing fine, so here comes baby! {found out June 1st 2011}

Baby #2 - How we Told People

Well, there are a lot of people whom I dont talk to every day that still do not know!

How I told my Mom was I took the pregnancy test (above) and wrapped it in a package .. went to her work and surprised her, told her I had a present for her! She was so shocked, thrilled, excited, she of course started balling .. ha!

Since Mathew's parents arent here with us, he was excited and told them over the phone the very same day..

Baby #1 - Samantha Jane.

We did things a bit differently for our little peanut. First of all I was so shocked beyond beleif and scared out of my mind since I'd never been pregnant before .. I was too nervous to share it so quickly. We announced to my family Thanksgiving Day - 2008 when we flew home from NC. - I think I was only 6 weeks going on 7 at that point.

Hubby's Parents -- This was cute.. we took the sonogram (below) and put it in a Christmas Card, and when we visited Ohio from NC for Christmas, we were opening presents, and we said we had one more gift, and that's how we told them.

{11 weeks - December 2009}

And I am so excited to be pregnant again.. I actually loved being pregnant with Samantha. This pregnancy seems very similar as well with a few differences. I for sure havent gained as much weight already.. Im 11 weeks and I think I've only gained 4lbs if that.

Stats for Baby/Pregnancy #2

We heard the heartbeat on Monday - it was 170.

I go for my first sonogram on July 25th

My due date is February 9th.

I am most excited to log my pregnancy in this blog, since I didnt have a blog when I was pregnant with Samantha.

{pregnant in Surf City - 31 weeks - May 2009}

SUYL - Desserts!

This week I feel so behind, I wanted to however join this week's SUYL at Kelly's Korner, because it features one of my favorite things.. DESSERTS!!!

I have many many favorite dessert recipes.. including one of Kelly's fav's Cake Balls!
I love making cupcakes as you can tell if you are a follower of mine or family member.. Im making Red Velvet Cupcakes w/ Cream Cheese Buttercream this weekend for a family cookout on Monday... so stay tuned!!

But for now, here are a few recipes/favorites that might not be on the list already for this linky..
Hamburger Cookies

(image from Yahoo Images)
I first was introduced to these cuties in college, I think it was my friend Kristen's mom? She sent her back to the dorm with a huge plate of these.. and I was hooked!!!

Ingredients:
4 drops green food coloring
1/2 teaspoon water
1/4 cup flaked coconut
48 vanilla wafers
24 chocolate covered thin mints
1 tablespoon sesame

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
In a bowl, combine food coloring with a few drops of water. Add coconut and cover the container, shake until coconut is tinted. Set aside.
Place 1/2 of the vanilla wafers, flat side up, in an ungreased cookie sheet. Top each wafer with a peppermint patty. Place in the oven about 1 minute or just until chocolate begins to soften.
Remove cookies from oven and sprinkle each mint with 1/2 teaspoon coconut (for lettuce). Place another vanilla wafer on top and press gentle. With a clean paint brush, brush the top of each hamburger with just enough water to moisten so that the sesame seeds will stick when sprinkled on top of each cookie. NOTE: You can use canned chocolate frosting in place of peppermint patty, then eliminate the baking.

(recipe from Allrecipes.com)

S'Mores Bars

I got this amazing recipe last summer, and seemed to make it for EVERY family gathering.. and multiple times just for fun! they are addictive, amazing, and just talking about them makes me want to bake a batch very very soon! (you'll see what i mean once you try 'em)

Here's my blog post with recipe and pics from last July:

http://themalenicfam.blogspot.com/2010/07/smores-cookie-bars.html

Cant wait to see what good ideas are on the linky list!

Happy Friday!

SUYL - Favorite Main Course Meal

I have many favorite Main Courses.. I love to cook.. I love watching the Food Network & Reading Cooking/Baking Blogs.. I try to be my own Martha/Ina/Giada.. haha

One of my favorites is:

{Homemade Chicken Soup with Crepe Noodles}

I can make this recipe with my eyes closed I've made it so many times..

and Samantha LOVES it ....BONUS!

Now, I know I hate when I ask people for recipes, and there is never an exact amount.. but this is one of those you have to play with until you get it right.

Ingredients:

1-2 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded)

1/2 bag carrots - chopped in big pieces

1/2 bag celery - chopped in small bite sized pieces.

3-4 large onions (white/yellow) whatever you have cut/diced

Chicken Stock

Water

Garlic 2-3 cloves/minced or chopped
Vegeta -2-3 tbsp

Thyme - 1tsp

Parsley -2 tsp
Sea Salt -1 tsp (may need more later)

Fresh Pepper - 1 tsp

I start by using a BIG pot.. adding 1/2 stock or broth and filling the other half with water (equal parts stock and water. I then add all the veggies and chicken.. bring to a boil.

Then I season the rest of the soup with Vegeta/Parsley/Garlic/Salt/Pepper/Thyme and let slow cook until veggies are tender and soup tastes the way you like.

Here's the kicker.. I make Crepe Noodles to put over the soup ...

ahhhh they are DELISH! I never thought of this until meeting my Croatian husband.. My mother in law made soup with Crepe Noodles.. OH MY GOODNESS.. I never wanted a plain old noodle again!

And you can save some whole crepes and have em for dessert too!

Ok I think I've talked myself into making this for my family really soon! Its SOOO yummy!

Looking forward to gathering some new recipes to try from Kelly's Korner (SUYL)!!

SUYL - Favorite Vacation Spots

SUYL - Favorite Vacation Spots

Well we just got BACK from one of our favorite spots to vacay, since we lived there for 3 years!
You may think that these places are rather boring...

But they are a few I hold near and dear to my heart

{North Carolina}

Wilmington, Surf City, Southern Inner Banks, Jacksonville, Topsail Island

There are a TON of memories for us down in this region.

Samantha was born here:

{Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune}

{1/2 hour old - 7.5.09}

{familiar welcome sign as we made our way to the hospital for check-ups/my stay for a week/childbirth classes and delivery

I had never been to the Southern Coast of North Carolina (Wilmington) until I met my husband, when I was 25. We'd take turns meeting on weekends either in Ohio, D.C. or NC.

This was my birthday weekend - we stayed in Oak Island right on the beach

{October weekend 2005 - Oak Island}


{wrightsville beach 2011}

And Wilmington has a special place in my heart ... we used to drive down from the marine base in Jacksonville & go on dates, and dinners and walk along the riverwalk..


AND.... One Tree Hill was filmed there! So everytime I'd visit I would be all "touristy" and take pics of the "Rivercourt" and "Karen's Cafe" and "Tree Hill High School" ... and then I'd watch the show and know exactly where they were!



{Surf City - where we lived for 3 years}

So when we moved to NC..

I was an extra on OTH.. and it just fueled the fire for my obsession!

There are so many little beach towns along the coast that we visited when we lived there.

Including this one below:

Southport,NC




Gorgeous scenery, cute little diners, ice cream shoppes, antique stores, baby stores, and



the Christmas Shoppe... and everything Christmas all year round

San Diego

{waterfront and downtown}

My early vacation memories definately included San Diego, and we've been out there probably close to 10 times in my life for vacation/visits and I just love it..

{LaJolla Cove - Seal Beach}

You can almost just walk up to the seals they are all sleeping and resting.. hah

When I graduated from 8th grade, my parents' present to me was a trip to San Diego to see my cousins Jeanne and Lisa! Jeanne is probably the cousin Im most close with, but she is also the cousin that lives the farthest from me (Tear*)

It was an experience of a lifetime! I had never even seen a real live palm tree until I visited!

I remember we did all sorts of fun stuff.. their Malls were amazing (even at age 13)..The San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, In and Out Burger, The Beaches, Poway Pool, .....ahh memories!

I loved everything about San Diego/California.

The Pacific Coast is definately different than the Atlantic.. and it sounds strange, but I think you get a different type of tan when you visit California versus Florida/NC

Washington

This holds many memories for us as well.

It was the 1/2 way meeting point for a lot of weekends spent together when Mathew was in the military and before he went to Iraq.

I had never been to DC either until I met my hubby.

We are planning a little weekend getaway this fall (JUST US!)

to celebrate our 5 year anniversary which was last week (we were in NC)

DC is great.. and it was amazing to think I had not seen our nation's capital till I was 25!

There is SOO Much to do and see, we have visited a couple museums, and my fav is walking down M Street in Georgetown.

If we do go in the fall .. here's for sure on my list of thing to do and see:

1. Georgetown Cupcake.

(You know it!)

{Botanical Gardens March 2008}


{First Time in DC - November 2005}

SUYL - How I Stay Organized - {In the Kitchen}

SUYL - How you Stay Organized:

When I get into an organizing "fit," I REALLY get organized.

I love it.. I love organization, and labels, and things in their proper place..

Its so cleansing and self-fulfilling!

I was in my kitchen this morning and decided to focus Kelly's SUYL - Organized on my

kitchen organizing skills!

I'll divide it into 3 parts - Containers, Labels, and Binders!

{Containers}

When I lived in the South .. we had a pretty large pantry...and one day I opened it and found a gross large little fellow.. that we'll just call "Roach".. Gross.

I never really had to worry about sealing things as much

                                          as I did when we lived at the beach in NC.

When I was watching Ina Garten one day I noticed she always has things so organized and uses these amazing containers!

I found them online through a restaurant supply store, and bought 2 sizes one smaller one and one large.. and I've used them for EVERYTHING..

I never heat stuff up in them, but I use them to store crackers, spices, soups, leftovers, cereal, YOU NAME IT!! They are awesome!

I recently used them to organize a few odds and ends in my cupboards:

{organized chips, sprinkles, barley.. etc.}

Along with my favorite Martha Stewart Labels (Love!)

Which takes me to the next subject

{Labels}

I love these Martha Stewart Labels.

I keep the little box on my fridge, with Labels & a pen, so whenever im putting away things or trying to throw away the packaging, I slap on a label and voila!

 {got my little leopard recipe box at Hobby Lobby}

{Binders}

Recipe Organization is a task in itself.

I started this organization a LONG time ago.
Every time I see a recipe/idea in a magazine I rip it out.

If I see a recipe online at Food Network, Martha or a Blog even, I print it out

Then I put them in Clear Plastic Sheets and I bought a few pretty binders..

And between my love of baking, and my sweet tooth,

I needed 2 binders.. one for meals and one for sweets.

So thats a little glimpse into my organization when it comes to a few things in the kitchen,

and recipes.

Link up with Kelly's Korner to show us how you organize!
 

SUYL - Books Im Reading

This Friday its SUYL (Books You are Reading) over at Kelly's Korner

These are the 3 books I currently have on my nightstand:

The Power of the Praying Wife:

I have read this book over and over, highlighted areas I need to remember, its a nice little

"wife prayer bible" and definately puts things into perspective.

If Im having a bad day.. or hubby and I arent seeing eye-to-eye.. I find myself going back to this book for prayer/reflcection, and it also helps you realize to not sweat the small stuff, etc..

I highly reccomend it!

The Max Lucado Study Bible:

This bible is great, because it explains so much, and relates bible stories/verses/scripture to everyday life and how you are feeling day to day.

There's even an index in the back that you can find every emoition, and with it this book shows you where to go in the bible to make you feel better..

For example: If your current emotion is ANGER or FEAR.. you turn to the index - look under ANGER/FEAR - and there are a list of readings to go to.

Without a Word:

I have to be honest, I havent read this yet.

I recently met Jill Kelly at a MOPS meeting she spoke at.

She was amazing. Spoke right to my heart about God, her love for Jesus, raising children, being married, and her dear son Hunter who passed away in 2008.

This story I beleive is a testimony of all that they went through.

Hunter's condition kept him from being able to speak, but touched their lives in ways they never thought were possible - and that's where the title comes in.

I cant wait to start reading it!

As a Mom to a toddler I find I dont really have hours to spend reading books back to front, so two out of the three books I chose are books I can open at any point, and reference different things that are going on in my life, and I like that.

I dont think I'd ever finish a love novel right now in my life.. and I really love these books anyway!

What are YOU reading!

Link up and tell us!

SUYL - Alma Maters - John Carroll University

My Alma Mater is JCU - John Carroll University, located in University Heights, Ohio

It was about 3 hours from my hometown, and I chose this school for a couple reasons:

1. It was close to home, but not too close.- about 3 hour car ride. So I would frequently go home for weekends, etc.

2. I got a partial scholarship, and loads of financial aid (since I was coming from a catholic high school, and I was an out of state applicant)

3. Smaller school size. - My high school was all girls, I think I had around 80 in my graduating class, so I didnt really want to go to a BIG BIG school... John Carroll was perfect.

4. I knew a handful of other friends that were coming to JCU as well one friend Julie that I had been going to school with since 1st grade.

5. Atmosphere, beauty, and surrounding neighborhood. University Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland, Beachwood. -


If you click on the links, or google any of these cities in Ohio, you will see so many charming, beautiful neighborhoods, mansions, parks, pools,


It was a University settled right in the middle of an amazing suburb of Cleveland.

I stayed on campus for 2 years in the dorms

John Caroll felt like a bigGER high school I guess. with boys.. I went to an all girls catholic high school. So I had not been in classes with boys since 8th grade, I remember that being a weird adjustment in itself.

{Dolan Hall my Freshman Year Dorm}

{Sutowski Hall- Sophomore Year Dorm}

Then moved off campus with 4 other girls in a house.

I think the most famous JCU grads have been Tim Russert and Don Shula. (so far) Which is the school's football field is named after...

I was on the dance team, played lacrosse, was a member of Lambda Gamma Sigma sorority, and overall had a great experience in Ohio at JCU.

{Graduation on the Quad}

Here are a few memorable places (ones that I could find pics of on Google!)


{local hangout favorite}

{walking distance from campus, good pizza and food.. okay and drinks}

{Arabica - Coffee Shop -I'd sometimes walk here and do homework or get coffee before class}

Im sure I have sooo many pics that I can scan, but its the weekend, and we're on a little hiatus..sooooo maybe I'll add them when I get home.

Wonder if any fellow JCU grads will be on this edition of SUYL??????????