I'm back...for real this time.

I have had such a hard time getting back into a blogging groove. Tim, Lydia Grace, and I have also failed miserably at completing our ABC Weekend Adventures. We did "G" and "H", but I never got around to sharing those with you. Do we start over? Do we forget the whole thing? Do we pick up where we left off? I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that I have missed blogging and sharing things with you. Things have been very busy though (weddings, showers, birthday parties, special events, family obligations, work...). Whew! Maybe now that American Idol and LOST are over I can go back to blogging when Lydia Grace goes to bed. And maybe now that I am off for the summer, I won't be so exhausted when her bedtime rolls around. Okay...enough of my rambling...I'm back, and I have a lot to share with you! A WHOLE LOT!

Easy Recipe for Bruschetta

Deseed and dice several tomatoes.

Slice, butter, and lightly toast a loaf of French bread.  Rub a garlic clove over the toasted pieces while they are still warm.

Mix the diced tomatoes with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil.  Spread  a generous portion of the tomato mixture over each piece of bread.

EAT and ENJOY!

A Letter to Lydia Grace on Mother's Day

Lydia Grace,

There are many things that I will never be.
And there are many, many things that I will never see.

There are many things that I will never do.
But my darling, darling daughter this much I know is true…

I can sew a skirt.
And I can kiss you when you hurt.

I can love you with zeal.
And I can cook your favorite meal.

I can comb knots out of hair.
And I can assure you that I will always be there.

I can run and play.
And I can show you the right way.

I can hold your hand when you cross the street.
And I can try to prepare you for the challenges you may meet.

I can show what it means to care and love.
And I can teach you about our God in heaven above.

I can say a prayer for you each night.
And I can hug your when you have had a fright.

There are many things that I will never be.
And there are many, many things that I will never see.

There are many things that I will never do.
But my darling, darling daughter this much I know is true…
I will always love you!

~Your Mother~

Organize Your Linen Closet (Part 2)

This is so much better!  Awww...I can just sigh when I look at it.  No more dirty, little secret hidden away in this closet.  It was one of those places I just didn't worry about when we first moved in, but now it is a space I don't mind guests seeing.

There are two kinds of cleaning in my book...

* Surface Cleaning: Cleaning all of the things that people see when they come over

* Deep Cleaning: Cleaning all of the things that people DON'T see when they come over

Here are some tips for deep cleaning your linen closet.

1. Empty everything out!  (I know this makes a gigantic mess, but it gives you a clean slate.)
2. Make three piles: KEEP, PUT SOMEWHERE ELSE, and GET RID OF.

3. Nicely fold or roll the linens you are keeping.

4. Use baskets, closet organizers, or other containers to store soaps, tissues, towels, sheets...

5. Have a basket in your linen closet for guest toiletries.  (I save unopened hotel soaps and shampoo, as well as, sample lotions and toiletries for guests to use when they stay overnight.  When you have overnight guests, lay a few of these toiletry items out in the guest bathroom on some nicely folded towels.)

6. First, decide where you want to place the baskets and containers and then you can start placing the folded towels and sheets.  Use the top shelf for rarely used linens.

7. Keep fabric sprays and air fresheners in this space, so they will also be handy when you need them.

8. Use labels on the baskets...so your hubby will know where to put things back.

Ready to tackle your own dirty, little secrets?

Organize your Linen Closet (Part 1)

Everyone has their little secrets they hide away.  One of my dirty little secrets is despite my obsession with being organized and clean, I have been hiding clutter in my closets.  Can you believe it?!  Me?!  Clutter?!  I can't believe I am even going to show this to you but...here was my linen closet before I decided to "come clean".

Pretty scary, huh?  Well, check back tomorrow to see the results of my decluttering.

Lydia Grace's Recipe for Fun!

Onesie Dress

Here is a "Gracie" (named after Lydia Grace, of course) onesie dress with matching "Cute as a Button" bow that I recently made for a baby shower gift.

Update: Many, many dresses later, I have perfected how I make these lovely outfits. For a full tutorial, be sure to visit here.

Happy sewing!

MIA

I've been a bad blogger.  Things have been quite busy, and I have been exhausted as the school year draws to a close.  Much has been happening, and my curly haired princess has continued to bring more and more smiles to my face each day.  I will share some pictures with you tomorrow.  Until then...please forgive my absence from the blogging world.