10 Reasons Why I Love Fall

Fall is my absolute FaVoRiTe time of the year. It is a season that reminds us that nothing is permanent. As daylight hours wane and temperatures cool, it is great reason to set aside a bit of time each day to enjoy this season.

Here are 10 Reasons Why I Love Fall

1. I love the colors of Fall
They are so warm & welcoming and I have them all through my home.



2. Cooler weather!
I love sitting on the porch with a great book & a cup of coffee, just enjoying the cooler weather.

3. Baking
Nothing makes me happier than spending time baking in the kitchen for everyone I love. Sure, I do this during the other seasons, but I do it more during the Fall and I can make goodies using pumpkin!

4. Two Words: CANDY CORN!
Who doesn’t love a fat free candy?! Not to mention all of the FUN things you can make with candy corn. Bring on the baking!

5. Football Season

I can curl up on my sofa with both of my boys, slide open the windows, and feel the chill in the air, while watching a great game of football! This time is so special to me!

6. My Birthday
Just wish the presents did not come with adding another year to my life, especially since I only have one more year in my 20′s. But we won’t talk about that, mmmmk?

7. Velour Jumpsuits
Yes, I am THAT girl!

8. Skirts & Boots. I LOVE wearing skirts & boots and skirts with boots.
If skirts with tall boots are ever not in fashion anymore, I would still wear them! I love tall boots & I love wearing them during the Fall.

9. The sound of the leave crunching under my feet.
I’m really a simple girl & it’s the simple things that make me so very happy.

10. My Favorite Holiday of the Year: THANKSGIVING (Tied with Mother’s Day, of course!)
Is there anything better than spending time with the family, getting overly competitive while playing games, cooking an insane amount of food and baking goodies that should be considered illegal? The last few years have not been easy ones, but I have so much to be thankful for.

**Check back often for lots of FUN Fall ideas!**

*Tiffany

Breathtaking Barstool Transformation

OH.MY.WORD!

I stumbled upon this barstool transformation project by Amy and I must say, she did an AMA-ZA-ZING job!

Stop by Amy's blog to check out step-by-step details on her barstool transformation.

*Tiffany

DWTS Cast - Season 13

Where are the Stars???




The cast includes: transgender advocate Chaz Bono; CNN host Nancy Grace; model Elisabetta Canalis; NBA player Ron Artest; former "The Hills" starlet Kristin Cavallari; TV personality Ricki Lake; singer Chynna Phillips; U.S. soccer goalie Hope Solo; actor David Arquette; Kardashian family member Rob Kardashian; celebrity stylist Carson Kressly; and "All My Children" actor and Iraqi war veteran J.R. Martinez.

Bono told People.com, "Doing this show is an opportunity for me to reach a larger more mainstream audience with just a simple message of being transgender is okay and not something to be scared of."

The contestants, whose professional dancer pairings will be announced Wednesday on "Good Morning America," will hit the dance floor September 19 on ABC!

A DOZEN Years!!!

"It was an improbable romance. He was a country boy. She was from the city. She had the world at her feet, while he didn't have two dimes to rub together. But in spite their differences, they had one important thing in common, they were CRAZY about each other." - The Notebook



Today is our twelve/two year anniversary!!

12 years ago this month, I began dating the Man of My Dreams & two years ago today, I FiNALLY married him!

I fell in Love with Big D the moment that I met him and I haven't stopped falling since that day.

I want to be one of "those" couples, the ones that are old and gray, but still look at each other with tenderness and refuse to walk alone without holding the hand of their love. I want this for us. From this day forward...

Big D, I absolutely LOVE that you picked me to go through life with and I love that no matter what happens, you are STILL the Man of My Dreams!

*Tiffany

Wordless Wednesday - Botox

This makes me smile!
(At least I think I'm smiling! Ha!)

School's Out For Summer!

I’m so proud of my Lil Man… He finished his 3rd grade year on top and I couldn’t be anymore proud of him!!

He was Gold Commended on his TAKS tests, which is a VERY big deal. He has come a long way this year and he makes me more proud every single day.

Looking forward to what 4th grade has in store…

Galveston, Oh Galveston!

AND... most importantly, I adore that Lil Man LOVES Galveston just as much as I do!

BKN Girl of the Year!

Guess who was announced Beta Kappa Nu's Girl of the Year!?!

ME!



And what an honor it is! As one of my Sisters stated, "To be voted Girl of the Year, is an honor in itself. It is the woman who gives so much of herself to helping others and expects so little in return."

What can I say?? I absolutely LOVE helping others!

Girl of the Year is annouced annually at the Beta Sigma Phi Founder's Day event. This next year, Beta Sigma Phi will be celebrating 80 years!

I am so blessed to be apart of this amazing organization and so grateful to have the most beautiful Sisters (inside & out)!

Here are a very few photos from Founder's Day... Enjoy!

This year we hosted the event and decided to tie this event with a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Breast Cancer Awareness!



Beta Kappa Nu
Love this picture of my Sisters
(minus a few... who were most definitely missed)

Teacher's Gifts GALORE!! (Part 1)

This week is Teacher Appreciation week and I just hit the Jackpot for Teacher's Gifts! This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Teacher's Gifts Galore Update.

I am ALWAYS looking for great Teacher's gifts and think these ideas are absolutely A.DOR.ABLE!

Can I just say how much I WISH I could receive one of these gifts?! I'm not a Teacher, but I am sure that I have taught at least one person something. Does that count? ;-)

The photos above are of just ONE of the gifts featured at the website below. They have a MILLION (slight exaggeration) more with pictures, tutorials, and free downloads.

Hurry! Hurry! Click here to see!

This post is for the "Journal Jar" for Teachers. Super cute AND you can print out all the questions to go in the jar. What a great, creative & thoughtful gift!

Enjoy your day Crafting Away!

*Tiffany

Good Friday Should Really Be Great Friday

(Although I wrote this post last Good Friday, I believe it is a great reminder for every Good Friday, so I've re-posted it at the top of my blog. Wishing everyone a VERY Happy Easter... May you focus on what this Holiday is truly about!)

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or rising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.


Photo I took of the Sagemont Church Cross

Today is Good Friday. If you read the account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in the passages above, each of the gospels will tell a slightly different account of what happened that day. However, the core details are the same.

He was innocent. He was mocked. He was beaten. He wore a Crown of Thorns. He was nailed to the cross. His mother was there. He died. He was buried and He WAS raised from the dead.

There were many who believed that soldiers had removed Jesus' body from the tomb and there was no resurrection, UNTIL they saw for themselves the undeniable scars. His nail scarred hands and feet. Those scars represent redemption and they represent forgiveness. Those scars represent the love for mankind that our Heavenly Father and His Son bestow upon us. In His complete restoration, the nail scars and the scar in His side were left intact.

I see my resurrected Savior without the dirt and mud covering His body, without the dried blood matted hair, and without parts of the whip left in His back. However, I see the scars and although the jagged scars on his back may be gruesome to some. To me, it is a reminder of the love he showed that day. A mark of magnificence.

Do our scars mean the same thing?

I have had self-inflicted wounds from insecurity and little belief in my self worth. These wounds that are more than fleshly wounds. They are wounds left from hurtful criticism and every.single.one of those wounds has left a scar. Unless I forbid the enemy to use them against me, those scars will continue to ridicule and haunt me.

Choose to see your scars as a representation of redemption not only today, but everyday. They represent forgiveness. They represent a love for us that only our Heavenly Father and His Son can bestow upon us.

Dear Lord, may we realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for us. Forgiveness … Freedom … and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May we always find our satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a GREAT Good Friday!

*Tiffany

St. Patty's Day Recipes

St. Patty’s Day RECIPES:



Courtesy of Epicurious.com...{clockwise from top left} Beef and Guinness Pie,
Bittersweet Irish Chocolate Whiskey Cake,
Irish Soda Bread (several recipes available), and
Champ (mashed potatoes).

St. Patty’s Day COCKTAILS

CHEERS!

Raise a glass with one of these tasty, Irish-themed cocktails:
• Dublin Dream (Irish cream, vodka, Chambord, & more)
• Irish Snakebite (Irish stout, hard cider, & blackcurrant syrup)
• Everybody’s Irish {Irish whisky, green crème de menthe, & Green Chartreuse}
• White Knight (Irish cream, Irish Whisky, coconut rum, half & half

Beer Cupcakes - St. Patty's Day

"BEER CUPCAKES"



Aren't these FAB?! Looking for some creative party ideas for St. Patrick’s Day?

Entertaining expert & cupcake guru Jeanne Benedict has some fabulous ideas in the dessert department… my favorite being the “Beer Cupcakes”!!

This design is all about the presentation, so you can still stick with traditional cupcake flavors topped with a generous helping of vanilla or cream cheese frosting.

For the “beer” wrapper, look for scrapbook paper with a similar motif or purchase a beer background stock photo and print & cut them yourself.

Love Bug Cupcakes

Love Bug Cupcakes

Aren't these the cutest cupcakes ever??

Ingredients
1 box (18.25 ounce) devil's-food cake mix
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 cans (12 ounce each) whipped vanilla frosting
Pink icing color
Clear crystal sugar
Tootsie Roll Midgees, yellow Laffy Taffy candies, black licorice lace, red and yellow jellied candies, M&M Minis, and Junior Mints
1 can (16 ounce) chocolate frosting

Directions
1. Line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners. Prepare cupcake batter using cake mix, 1 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup oil, and 4 eggs. Bake as directed on box. Let cupcakes cool completely. Tint vanilla frosting light pink using icing color. Frost cupcakes with pink icing. Roll edge of each cupcake in crystal sugar.
2. To decorate Bumblebees: Cut and shape Tootsie Rolls and Laffy Taffy into small rounds. Alternate two brown pieces and two yellow ones for body and head. Attach two pieces of licorice for antennae to the brown end to complete head, and slice a yellow fruit jelly in half for the wings.
3. To decorate Ladybugs: Place chocolate frosting in a freezer-weight zip-top bag and snip off one corner. Pipe a mound of chocolate icing in center of each cupcake. Slice a red jelly in half for the wings; place on top of chocolate icing. Attach M&M Minis to wings using frosting. Attach a Junior Mint for the head and two black licorice pieces for the antennae.