My cinco

It's that super fun time again to post 5 things that have made you feel..

Blessed

Delighted

Joyous

Cheerful
Jolly

Or maybe just plain old happy..
 
My cinco

1. I LOVE and appreciate Matt not only telling me he wants to be part of the wedding decisions, but he shows me. How? We'll browse the aisles at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Target, Wal-Mart, etc., and he gives me his opinions. He'll tell me what he likes and dislikes. He's honest, and I love that! We sat side by side, each on our own laptops, looking up venues, invitations, and catering services :)

2. My birthday is coming up, and I'm going to Sea World!! Not sure what else is in store while we're in San Antonio... :)

3. Matt spoils me like none other. He says he ruins me for any other man. Last night, for example, he did the dishes, cooked dinner, washed THOSE dishes, cleaned the counters, and made s'mores. I offered and offered to help, but he said it was his last night of being able to spoil me since he had to go back to work today. He let me just sit and relax. How lovely.

4. I think we've set a date!! October 7th, 2011. With fall colors, red, orange, yellow and some brown. How exciting to have something to plan around!! Now we just need to decide on a venue and make sure they're available.

5. Drop Dead Diva and Army Wives available on mylifetime.com. Enough said. Oh, and Prince of Persia was awesome! :)

Head on over to MannLand5 to see what have been making other bloggers feel the same way! :)

Haev a great day!!!

Birthday present

I'd like to share a few projects I made that were sent to a loved one for his birthday earlier this month!

Steggie was made with a pattern from One Yard Wonders - cute book! They have a bright photograph of each project listed. Plus, they supply patterns; however, this fella took me quite a while as I'd never made a doll/stuffed animal before, but luckily I had some help. I was told he slept with it the night he got it, which means... complete success.

Here's a closeup of Steggie.

I also included a hand made dinosaur birthday card, a sheet of dino stickers, and my first ever stencilled shirt.

The shirt is pretty simple, but hey, it was my first attempt, and I like it!

Here's the best part... photos of E, all the way from California, with the gifts!

And there ya have it. Even though this gift consisted of a couple crafts that *were* foreign to me, I am so glad I did them for this guy. Happy birthday, sobrino. Your Tia Sarah all the way from Texas loves you, even if she can't see you as often as she'd like!

Fredericksburg

Ohh, woe is me. What a sickly Saturday it's been. The sad part is I don't even know what's wrong! A cold? Mega allergies? All in my head? (playing about the last part. the tissues can prove that false.)

I did, however, go ahead and resize pictures to show everyone what last weekend looked liked for me. Enjoy!

Here we are, below, at the Fredericksburg Brewing Co. Matt loved their beer, of course, and  I, of course, had wine. Delicious. Four glasses A few glasses later I was passed out so relaxed once we got back to our room.

The next day, Saturday, we went to the Herb Farm for lunch. Delicious food! Here we are, posing, at the table.

After lunch we were able to walk around. They had a little organic store, a garden/herb area, etc. A random swing on a huge tree that was secured at the top with chains? I couldn't resist.

The next are a few shots from the Herb Farm and its beautiful randomness.

Then he proposed soonafter :)

Up next... Wildseed Farms! They had free wine tasting Fri, Sat, and Sun. The service was very friendly and refreshing. Two thumbs up! It was a bit cloudy, and it started to sprinkle towards the end of our time there.

I really like the picture below. The items hanging from the walls remind me of my mother because she liked very brightly colored things :)

This is where we walked around, simply enjoyed the setting, and basked in the beautiful weather. It was a nice break from the high 90's it's been lately. 

 There was a little girl who wanted to take a furry caterpillar home :) Too precious.

Leaving Wildseed Farms. Perfect timing for a picture, huh?

We also did a lot more in Fredericksurg this time around. We had a checklist! The reason for that is because on our previous trips to Fredericksburg, we just wing it, and later I'll find things we could have done. To prevent that, I did researching and discovered these fab finds!

Rather Sweet Bakery & Cafe

Old German Bakery & Restaurant

The Nest

Fredericksburg Winery

... and I can't remember the rest. I'll post them if I do.

And then there were the not so great finds, but we'll be nice and not list those.

Everyone enjoy the rest of their weekend!!

Call for help

I'm asking all lovely ladies (and men, if they are up for it!) for help.

If anyone has any tips, tricks, opinions, advice, etc. about planning a wedding, I would MORE than love to hear your thoughts and what not!

Here are some basic things to know.
We plan on getting married in Fredericksburg, TX. Outside ceremony, inside reception. Not sure how many guests, probably between 100-150. Red and black colors. Probably in late September of 2011 since it gives us time to save and plan. Not sure about flowers, what's in season then? I'm having a cookie bar as I love to bake. Using the same flowers that go down the aisle as part of our centerpieces.I have a "pear-shaped" body so I need to look up dresses. A place in Dallas was recommended. We haven't set a budget... but we'd like to save as much $$ as possible!!

Thanks for reading! Have a great one.

Update

Hola :)

Man, things have just been happening right and left! I love it!!

So as you all know, I graduated! Yipee!!

And an exact week later...

Matt proposed.

Yep, I'm engaged!

Unfortunately, I did not use waterproof mascara.

I had a feeling he was going to porpose on our trip to Fredericksburg due to several "clues" - his mom wanted my ring size, he asked if *I* wanted to go to Fredericksburg... and usually I'm the one to bring up taking trips, and he always told me he would propose after I graduated.

And I was right!! :) I'm so happy.

We went out for lunch Saturday to the Herb Farm (delicious food!) and we were walking around, and he held my hands, looked at me and reminded me that he loved me, and then got on one knee and showed me the ring and asked if I'd spend the rest of my life with him. After he brought out the ring, I cried... he put it on the wrong hand.. and we hugged for a long time.

Here are some pictures of the Herb Farm. Later I'll post more pictures from our entire trip!

graduation

I. did. it.

I have graduated from Angelo State University! I had my friends and family there to watch me walk the stage, and now my friends who couldn't be there can see pictures.

and afterwards, we went out to eat at a restaurant I used to work at. My dad put coupons in my card!

And I wish I was actually this dark.

Thank you, spray tan!!

So I apologize for not having posted sooner.. I've just been preoccupied with graduation, preparing myself, finals, grades, etc. But now I DID IT! Now I am working on my observation hours for my teaching certification. Maybe there will be a Master's degree in the future, who knows right now. I just want to relax!!

Thursday Five Time!

Five things that have made me...

Happy

Giddy

Grateful

Joyful

Gleeful

or all of the above..
 
????
 
Easy peasy lemon squeezy! (I actually said that today at work)
 
1. The pictures from last weekend's BBQ. In the picture below from L to R is Matt's dad/Cayden's grandpa (Lester), then Cayden who has temporary tats, and my love Matt. Cayden has this thing with sniffing, and it so funny! So that's what they're doing in the picture. Plus, it's just an overall funny photo what with them all matching. I keep going through my facebook photos as well as the ones saved on my computer.
 

2. School is almost over. Granted I am scared/nervous/much more, but I am also excited. I'm excited and proud of myself for successfully completing college. I'll graduate with honors. My momma would be proud!

3. I've been working on Mother's Day things for/with the kiddos at work. I have already taken photos, and it makes me happy that I am getting things done ahead of schedule.

Oh, I need help. I took a picture of them smiling as well as making funny/silly/ugly faces. I want to use the sentence "A face only a mother could love" with the funny face, but I need ideas? I don't really want to put it with the smiling picture because I'd like that to be with a painted hand print. Help!

4. Matt asked if I wanted to go to Fredericksburg the weekend after I graduate! Yipee!! My favorite little town in Texas. We went this winter and had a horse drawn carriage ride :) Plus I get to go shopping and consume large amounts of home made chocolate!!!

5. I was very productive today. Lots has now been checked off my "to do" - yay me! It's a great feeling to feel accomplished.

If you want to play or read what others had to say, head on over to MannLand5

Update

Yikes..

it's been a while since I've posted!

I want y'all to know that I have not forgotten <333

I graduate May 15th (eep!) so I've been preparing for that. Professors decide to give enough busy work to keep me busy. Work is work.

Stress is stress.

I am happy to inform you all that I will be getting a teaching certification, hopefully by the end of this summer. Hopefully a Generalist grades 4-8.

As for now, I am staying in San Angelo until I find a job teaching elsewhere. No sense in moving, then finding a job some place else and having to move again. Makes sense, no?

On the positive side..
ya know, besides from graduating...

• I got a beautiful pedicure!
• I saw How to Train Your Dragon in 3D (super cute!)
• Matt surprised me with beautiful flowers and even brought a raspberry sno-cone to me at work.
• I saw my almost nephew (Cayden) who is such a happy 1 year old.

• I passed my Psychology Exit Exam! You must pass to graduate.
• My sister is ENGAGED!!
• Bought Avatar. <3
• I have my graduation dress.
• I get to go jean shopping.
• Had a pizza party today at work.
• Finished my book, Good in Bed.
• And I am ALMOST DONE with a very special package for a very special someone. I'll post pictures once they've received.

Hope everyone is having a great day and week so far. Always remember to appreciate the little things no matter what lemons life decides to throw at you.

getting to know you

It's Sundayyyyy! I got most of my homework done yesterday, so that means I can chillax today. And of course, answer these questions from MannLand5! Check it out :)

1. Mens chests..hairy or hairless?
Hairy. Bahahah!
If a man has zero hair on his chest, it's like he hasn't gone through puberty! I also don't want a wooly mammoth. Matt's hair is juuuust right :)

2. How often do you run red lights?
I'm that person that you yell at because they stop when the light is still yellow, but in my defense, it's ABOUT to turn red. Hahah!
I'd A)rather NOT get in a wreck (You're welcome for saving your life!) and B)I get angry and yell at people who do run red lights that make me have to wait a little longer when the light already turned green for me. Make sense?

3. If you could raid any celebrity's closet..whose would you raid?
This doesn't say "one" anywhere, suh-weeeet!
Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlet Johansson.
I'll keep it to three ;)

4. Would you rather have more followers/friends on Facebook, Twitter, or your Blog?
I don't use Twitter. I think it'd be way cool if I had more followers on my blog than friends on Facebook!

5. What makes you feel sexy?
Teeeheehee...
Feeling skinny! Good hair day. Pretty makeup. Flattering clothes.

6. I get excited when...........?
Oh man, are you kidding me!?

I get excited..
when Matt comes home, when we plan a trip together, seeing my family, when I make good grades, when I find forgotten money in my pockets, when I'm organized, receiving snail mail, baking something that turns out great, clean house and laundry, trying new coffee creamers, not paying as much as I thought I would when I go shopping, finding bargains, a good song comes on, good hair days, I get to buy movies from Hastings, finishing a craft project...

The list goes on and on!

7. Are you the "outdoorsy" type or more "indoorsy"?
Indoorsy. No doubt about it.
I'd LIKE to be more outdoorsy, and sometimes I have to be for work, like summer camps, but if I have a choice... the AC wins. It can get HOTT here in Texas.
Now, with that said, I would like to go camping and what not just because I never have. I don't know how to swim, so that prevents me from being a "lake girl" and what not. But I plan on taking more picnics, maybe hiking, etc.

8. Would you rather have your dream home or a million dollars?
A million dollars. Well.. does this dream home include furniture? ;) Kidding. I'd still want the money. Because then I could use it on whatever I wanted, save it, buy a new home, pay bills, etc.

Thursday 5

It's Thursday Five time with MannLand5! How do you play? Just post 5 things that have made you..

• Happy
• Giddy  
• Grateful
• Joyful
• Elated
• Appreciative

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! Here we go!!

1. Matt surprising me by coming home. He had to go to work early.. but he came home just for ONE NIGHT to be with me, then left this morning. That's about 9 hours round trip he made just for me. He works on a drilling rig and is 7 days on/7 off. So it was a nice surprise and will help me get through the rest of the week he's working!

2. Getting hugs from the kiddos at work always makes me feel amazing. One kid who I feel like I've worked quite a bit with has been coming to the after school program and comes straight to me and gives me a hug. It makes me feel like I'm on clouds.

3. That same kiddo and I have been working hard together on math and reading. He's doing such a great job, and I'm so stinkin' proud of him! Seeing him so motiviated to continue learning makes me feel appreciative because I know what I'm doing is impacting him in a positive way.

4. HEB's "organic" center (not sure if that's the right name) but you can go buy your own organic nuts, peanut butter, dried fruits, granola, etc., in bulk! So I made my own granola trail mix. Delicious and healthy!

5. Trying new coffee creamers. I know, it's silly, but I love trying new ones. I saw a "Limited Edition" Buttercream, and it's delicious! I have a new one in the fridge waiting for me because the Buttercream is almost all gone.

Have a great one! :)

Awesome photos

I wanted to show y'all some beeeeee-utiful pictures :)

These are taken by my friend/pen-pal, Jaquelyn. We went to high school together (here in good ol' Texas), but she currently lives in Alaska to check off an item from her bucket list. I'd love to visit that place.

Doesn't she take beautiful photos? I love seeing what new photos she has on her facebook; however, it'd be nice if she updated her BLOG *cough* because she not only takes beautiful pictures, she draws beautiful pictures, and she has a beautiful way with words that lures you into her stories.

Much respect for that lady.

Also, here's another cool photo..

I saw it in the news, on msnbc.com. The capture read, "A farmer took this picture of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano shortly after its most recent eruption." The article can be read here.

Have a fantastic day!

Random ramble

.. Yes, more random ramble.

My previous post may have revealed my slight stress/anxiety I am going through these days..

I've made a long checklist so I can physically see what needs to be done. Whether that's better or worse.. who knows, but I have a darn good time scratching things out! It basically just includes graduation invitations, the online teacher certification, a teacher job fair, letters of recommendation, etc...

I've noticed that sugar and wine helps. :)

What do y'all do when stressed? What are you stressed about??


Anywho...
This past weekend I went to the Poteet Strawberry Festival! Unfortunately, no pictures were taken because were too busy walking around, shopping, eating, and so on and so forth. I had a yummy strawberry margarita, wine cooler, cheesecake, turkey leg, and plenty of samples of jam! :) I came home with home made flavored pasta and raspberry jam. Mmm mmm! It tastes delicious on my home made bread. I think I also gained a few pounds, but it was well worth it.

Have a good one!

Easter

I hope everybody had a fantastic Easter!!

Here are some photos of what mine looked like.

We hit a Spongebob pinata. Don't ask me why it's Spongebob and not something more Easter-y.. because I have no clue. I didn't ask questions though, I was just happy to let out some frustration! ;)

Confetti eggs.

This is my middle sister, Victoria, in the brown dress, being attacked by my father. Behind her is yours truly, being attacked as well.

And here's the "after." My dad blowin' out the confetti. What a nice father... and let me tell you how great my hair smelled. They should bottle that smell up and use it for shampoo.

And we can't forget the best part...

My home made marshmallows. This is my attempt at making them look like Peeps.

I used Alton Brown's Marshmallows. I didn't have a candy thermometer because A)I was at my dad's house and B)My last attempt ended in the toffee burning. They came out wonderful! For the bunnies, I used a little leftover flour and cornstarch so they wouldn't be sticky. For the eggs, I dabbed a damp paper towel on wherever I wanted the sugar to stick. Afterwards I piped chocolate eyes and egg decorations on 'em!

Tasty.

I left these for my family, and I stuck to eating the leftover marshmallows parts.

Fairly simple recipe. Be sure you have a standing mixer, not a handheld.

Have a good one!

songs that make me wonder..

I know this isn't as Eastery as everyone elses posts...

but I drove to my home town today, which equals out to about 2 and a half hours of drive time. I listened to the satellite radio the whole way, and I heard some songs that either gave me goose bumps or made me tear up. Do any of you have songs like that? That you hear and you relate in some way, and you just think... wow.

Here are the songs I heard that gave me that emotional rush.


Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole 'IZ' 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'
(AKA Brother Iz.. incase you're like me and can't pronounce his real name)


Carrie Underwood's song Temporary Home


Matt Kennon's song The Call (this one made me tear up)


Brooks and Dunn's Cowgirls Don't Cry


Matisyahu feat. Akon singing One Day

I realize that you have to be in one of those moods to enjoy songs like this. They have good meanings behind them though.

Just thought I'd share.
Have a happy Easter, everyone!
♥

Easter cupcakes

No school tomorrow = early Easter celebration!!! Yee haw! We not only had these fabulous "funfetti" cupcakes, but the children also had a chance to partake in an Easter egg hunt. Bundles o' fun.

I made these cutey patooty cupcakes, courtesy of Bakerella (read her post here).

They turned out great, and I am very happy with the result. Did the kiddos like them? I wouldn't know. They were too busy stuffing their faces to tell me. They looked at the cupcake for a nanosecond, said "ooh cool!" then devoured 'em. I think that's a good thing ;)

Here's the cupcake cluster. The bottom cakies (that's not a typo, I wanted to call them cakies) don't have the sour straw because they'd get smushed, as you can tell.

None of these guys got a photoshoot like my other baked goodies. Time was not on my side when I remembered I should take a picture or two of my latest creation.

Enjoy! I hope everyone has a happy Easter!

Cupcakes in jars?!

cupcakes. in. a.... jar!

Adorable, huh? I didn't make only one jar...

But three. Count 'em. Uno, dos, tres.

Who were the lucky receivers??

My friend Emily (who also received my better than brownie cookies), and I sent two to my friend Jaquelyn.

These babies were made from scratch using this recipe for the cupcake, and that recipe for the vanilla buttercream frosting.

Mmmmm! Don't they look absolutely delectable?

I can't forget to thank Joy's Hope for the idea!! Too cute.

All I did was put one cupcake (bottom down), then piped the frosting, then another cupcake, then more frosting! Then I used scrapbook paper for the lid as well as inking the edges, and finished off with a pretty red bow.

Better wipe that drool..

or better yet. Better go to the store to buy the ingredients to make cupcakes!

What uhh..

Wh-what... happened there?

Oh yeah. The dog did it.

Have a great day! Hope y'all didn't get pranked *too* much today!

PS- I don't own a dog.

Wishful Wednesday - Easter memory

'I wish' .... I could re-live one Easter memory from my childhood, and it would be the Easter that my mother hid a golden egg!


That Easter was celebrated out on the "ranch." My dad owns a ranch (no livestock or anything, just a lot of land) and I remember one year we went out there and she hid a "GOLDEN EGG." Ohhh how we all wanted that egg. She would run behind us and telling us, "Find the golden egg!" over and over. It had money in it! If I remember correctly, it was $20. My oldest sister ended up finding it because it was up in a tree, and I was mad because there was no way I would have found it because it was too high. I also remember that was when we'd all wear puffy dresses with big bows in our hair. Then we'd come back inside and eat all our candy :D

That's a good memory.

Head over to The Seattle Smith's to read what memories other bloggers would want to re-live!

Top 2 random facts about yourself

 

Top 2 random facts about yourself

1. I. Love. Lucy.

Now.. let me elaborate.

I have a fairly extensive collection of I Love Lucy memorabilia.Mugs, books, calendars, Monopoly games (two, actually. One is still in plastic), lunch box, salt and pepper shakers, tins, puzzles, movies and DVDs out the wazoo (which includes The Lucy Show, the entire I Love Lucy series, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, and several of her movies), metal signs, Barbie dolls, post cards, a pillow, an alarm clocks, casette tapes of her entire My Favorite Husband series...

*whew*

As a child, I always got Lucy items for my birthday or Christmas. My dad would purchase and save them until a special occassion. I'll always hold a special place for Lucy in my heart. Watching her shows or being reminded of her is like a sweet flashback to my childhood.

2. Nobody believes I'm half Mexican until I speak Spanish.

I'm as white as could be, but my mother taught us, her daughters, Spanish and English. We're all fluent. It's funny showing someone that I CAN speak Spanish and helping them pick up their jaws.