Behind the Scenes: Blog Photos

I'm coming clean today and sharing secrets on what goes on behind the scenes. From setting-up to editing, it's an unfiltered look at what you don't see when presented with the polished photos in a post. See what really goes on when the camera starts clicking. {Cue the suspenseful music.}

Oooo... Exciting!

It's really not as dramatic as all of that. But in this third installment of the Behind the Blog Series, I am taking you beyond the blog's photos to see how it all comes together. We're going from the creation of a craft or recipe to a finished post...

DIY Floral Home Decor Ideas & A Little Bird Told Me Link Party #175

Welcome to...

Looking for simple ways to add touches of spring to your home? Here are four fabulous DIY projects that are fresh and unique! They're subtle ways to incorporate florals into your home decor. Which one are you wanting to try?

1. Floral Acrylic Monogram  / The Scrap Shoppe Blog
What a creative idea! This acrylic monogram can be customized with any paper patterns you like. You don't even have to use florals. The best part? It takes only 10 minutes to make!

2. Pallet Painting / Flamingo Toes
Isn't this gorgeous?! Invite friends to join you and host a pallet painting party for spring! Visit Flamingo Toes for all of the details.

3. Spring Decor Over the Piano / Brooklyn Berry Designs
It's amazing what a lovely garland and some tissues paper flowers can do to transform a space. See how to do this in your home by visiting the link above.

4. Free Spring Printable / Clean & Scentsible
Download, print, and display! It's that easy to add a springy touch to your home. This printable is even available in four different sizes.

Amazing ideas! Now...

Garden Ideas for Spring and A Little Bird Told Me Link Party #174

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You may have noticed that these weekly link parties are the only posts I've managed to put out lately. I'm wanting to change that very soon and get back into the swing of blogging regularly. There have been a lot of demands on my time during the last several weeks (friends visiting from out of town, two out of three of my kids celebrating a birthday, homeschooling, my son's therapy sessions, spring break, death of a family friend, eighth wedding anniversary...) and loads of side projects that I've been working on. The kids and I replanted our spring garden and I've been working on beautifying some of our outdoor spaces. As the weather has gotten warmer, it's been refreshing to retreat outdoors with no other concern than spending time with the kids and time in our home.

This little update actually leads us to the theme for this week's features--DIY ideas for your garden, porch, or patio.  Whether you're a beginner or expert gardener, these ideas are sure to give you plenty of inspiration for your own garden and patio areas! From planting tips to DIY garden decor, here are six posts that will help you make the most of your outdoor spaces this season. Grab your garden supplies and head outside to try some of these wonderful ideas. I'll meet you out there! ;)

1. Herb Garden Markers  / The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Whip up a set of stamped markers for your herbs or plants. You'll love how quick and easy these are to make.

2. DIY Moss Art / The Logbook
With a little moss, a chippy door, and a few other simple supplies, you can create an eye-catching, unique piece for your home.

3. Vegetable Garden Tips / The Seasoned Homemaker
Seeds or plants? What and when to plant? Leslie is sharing some invaluable advice on starting your own vegetable garden. This post will help you answer those common gardening questions.

4. Gold Geometric Planter / Old Time Pottery
Turn a candle holder into a stunning planter for your front porch by following the directions in this terrific tutorial.

5. Egg Planters / Dreams Factory
Learn to grow wheatgrass in pastel painted eggshells. These planters are both pretty and practical.

6. Rustic Succulent Centerpieces / Love, Create, Celebrate
These centerpieces would be a lovely addition to a front porch or backyard picnic table. Click on over to see how to begin.

Amazing ideas! Now...

St. Patrick's Day Recipes & Treats and A Little Bird Told Me Link Party #173

Welcome to...

Looking for a delicious treat for St. Patrick's Day? Maybe even something that's green? Here are eight recipe ideas perfect for the holiday. Any of these treats would be a fun and delicious way to celebrate the day!

1. Guinness Brownie with Mocha Frosting  / The Gold Lining Girl
2. Pistachio Shortbread / The Rebel Chick
3. Crock Pot Irish Bread Pudding / Dad, What's 4 Dinner
4. Mint Tea Marshmallows / Home Cooking Memories
5. Sweet and Salty Lucky Bites / Homespun Engineer
6. St. Patrick's Day Candy Cups / Simply Stacie
7. Irish Coffee French Toast Casserole / Frugal Foodie Mama

8. Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting / The Mandatory Mooch

Amazing recipes! Now...

15 Sensational Desserts and A Little Bird Told Me Link Party #172

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What's your favorite kind of dessert? Do you love an ooey gooey chocolate cake? Is a lemon confection what you crave? Whatever your preference is when it comes to sweet treats, you're sure to find a new favorite in this mouth-watering round-up of sensational desserts. Enjoy visiting the blogs below and trying a few new dessert recipes!

1. Mint Chocolate Bark / The Gold Lining Girl
2. Cherry Rum and Coke Cupcake / Simply {Darr}ling
3. Triple Chocolate Dump Cake / 5 Minutes for Mom
4. Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake / The Gold Lining Girl
5. Mug Carrot Cake Made in the Microwave / Crystal & Co.
6. Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter Brownies / 5 Minutes for Mom
7. Peanut Butter Tarts / A Dish of Daily Life

8. Jam Sandwich Cookies / Something Sweet

9. White Chocolate Macadamia Coconut Cake with Raspberry Syrup / The Gold Lining Girl

10. German Chocolate Scotcharoos / Lemons for Lulu

11. Simple Funnel Cake Recipe / Hello Nature

12. Flourless Chocolate Mint Cake / Lemons for Lulu

13. Chocolate Chip Peppermint Cookies / Lemons for Lulu

14. Lemon Petits Fours / Home Cooking Memories

15. Apple Rhubarb Cake / All She Cooks

Amazing recipes, ladies! Now...

Easy Dinner Recipes and A Little Bird Told Me Link Party #171

Welcome to...

It's the question you ask yourself every evening. What are you going to prepare for dinner? I was actually just asking myself that question minutes ago. If that question has you stumped too, here are six new recipes to try. They are delicious and savory but simple to prepare. Grab those ingredients and get ready to start cooking. These recipes are sure to become family favorite meals!

1. Chili Cheese Wedges / Simply Stacie
Wow! This dish looks so hearty and delicious. The best part is that the recipe creator boasts it only takes 30 minutes to prepare.

2. Fennel Slaw With Garlic Dressing / Kiku Corner
This simple salad recipe only require a few, fresh ingredients and makes a tasty side dish to serve with dinner.

3. Black Bean Salsa / All She Cooks
This black bean salsa looks easy to prepare and is sure to be bursting with flavor.

4. Creamy White Chicken Chili / All She Cooks
What a delicious meal for a cold, blustery day! A bowl of this chili--or even two--would warm you up right away.

5. Meatball Sub Casserole / Simply Stacie
Meatball subs meet savory casserole in this satisfying dinner option. It's sure to be a crowd pleaser!

6. Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala / Strength & Sunshine
What's better than an amazing dinner recipe and you can prepare in a slow cooker, leave, and have waiting for you just in time for dinner? I'm not sure. I'll let you know when I think of something. (LOL!) This looks amazing!

Amazing recipes, ladies! Now...

Happy birthday!

Birthday interviews are a fun tradition to do with your kids. They are also a great way to preserve memories. Can you recall that time your child said they wanted to be a doctor? Oh, and do you remember that toy they loved so much when they were five? Doing a yearly birthday interview is a special way to capture all of those milestones and remember their favorite things at each age. Below you'll find a printable birthday interview to use for your child's next birthday. Do one each year and store them together in a binder. It's sure to become a collection that you and your child will treasure forever!

Outfit source: FabKids

Seven years ago I held my oldest child in my arms for the first time--my baby girl. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that it's been that many years. My dad used to always say that time flies when you're having fun, and this girl and I certainly have fun together. During the past seven years, she has grown from a beautiful baby with cute, chubby cheeks to a sweet young girl with a heart of gold. I'm so blessed to be her momma! I just wanted to take a moment here on the blog today to wish my girl a very happy birthday and share her birthday interview and a few pictures!

Here's a blank copy of the printable for you to fill out with your child. Just right click, save, open, and print. It's that easy to begin your own birthday interview tradition!

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