My Liebster Award

A while back Britney from The Princess and Her Cowboys nominated me for the Liebster Award. It was so wonderful of her...

The Liebster Award is an award for blogs with under 200 followers. Liebster is German for dearest, or beloved and a blog nominated for the Liebster Award is said to be worth watching. 

There are a few things to follow once you have been nominated:

• Acknowledge the blog that nominated you with a post.
• Share 11 facts about yourself.
• Then answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
• List up to 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you believe deserve some recognition.
• Post 11 new questions for them to answer.
• Notify all the bloggers you've selected that they've been nominated.
• Do not nominate the blog who nominated you.

So for the 11 facts about me.

1. I love to garden. It is hard work but getting to stand back and see the plants bloom and grow is truely rewarding. 
2. I love to travel, by air or ground, I love seeing the land and sights. 
3. I would love to learn to fly.
4. I am very type A. I have to have things just right much to my boys and hubby's dismay.
5. I have a son with Aspergers. Read a little about it here.
6. I work full time nights as an RN in our local ICU.
7. I enjoy working out.
8. Idaho is the greatest state in the nation. You won't understand until you have lived there.
9. I have been married for 17 years and am still madly in love with my sweetheart.
10. I think Grandparents teach lessons parents never can.
11. I am addicted to creating. I think I go into withdrawals if I haven't done anything for a while.

1. Where would you travel if money were no object? Europe, always wanted to see the classic sights.

2. What language would you like to learn if given the chance? Spanish for the practicality but really Russian, I just think it is a fascinating language.

3. What do you like to do as a hobby besides blogging? Crafting, card making, gardening. I kinda do it all. 

4. Who is your hero and why? If may be cliche but my Dad! He has the greatest work ethic of anyone I know. He doesn't complain. He has always been the calm steady in the storm of life for me.

5. What is your favorite childhood memory? More funny than favorite: Dad taking me to the park when I was 3 for a spanking. I was throwing a mega fit (kicking on the floor of the pickup). He wasn't happy with himself for loosing his temper but I only needed to be reminded of that the rest of my life and I would straighten up. Dad seldom loses his temper but oooh boy!!

6. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why? Idaho. I miss it. The cool nights, hot days....I have visited 35 states but Idaho is still my fav. There is just something in the air. You feel it but can't explain it.

7. What makes you unique? I am completely transparent. I have never been able to hide my feelings. Turns out to be a good thing. I am genuine. Don't worry about what I think, you can read it all over me, the good as well as the bad. Truest true!

8. How did you come up with the name for your blog? I wanted something unique and memorable. Something that defined me. Few families have only boys. I kinda feel part of a unique club. With talk of 4 boys inevitably you will talk about how they grow. 4growingboys fit.

9. What is your favorite part about the summer? Not having to shuttle kids back and forth to school. I hate that there are no buses where we live. Such a waste of resources to have so many cars going back and forth. (yes we do carpool) but it gets tough when we buy cars to fit our family, not the neighborhood.

10. Favorite food? Currently- salmon.

11. What blog has helped you out the most as you've started? I'm not sure but I have been inspired to do more word art from Bethany at Elegant wordart.

Check out these blogs!
Cheri @ DJ's Sundries 
Michelle @ Greene Acres Hobby Farm (love this name!)
Maria @ Krafty Cards etc.

I searched through my other favorite blogs but they are doing so well they don't fit the less than 200 followers criteria. I will keep watching and add any newbies I fall in love with.

Blog changes...social media icons.

 I have wanted to add social media tags to my blog for a while, tonight I boycotted chores and took the time to mess with html codes. The side bar was getting too cluttered.

There are several sites that have been generous to provide these codes but Make It Create have made some great tags in all shapes and colors and sizes. To top it off they have a great tutorial helping even the html inept such as myself make beautiful changes to my blog. So for all of you, I hope you enjoy the changes. To the ladies at Make It Create...

THANK YOU!

Blog revamped.....

What do you think of the new look?

Last year I revamped my blog. I wanted to make it look more like me. Now I wondered if the red and black is hard on the eyes. After reading some tips on blogs and layouts I decided to do a little remodeling again. I created a my own background but I'm having problems uploading it. I will have to play with that a bit more. For now, I found this background on Cutest Block on the Block. I am please with it.

I created a new header that will hopefully define what my blog is all about a little more. My goal is that you will see right away what fun stuff there is to be found further down. It was interesting to think about what I want to say and how I to portray all my thoughts and ideas. I like to do a little bit of everything but my boys guide so much of my creativity. How could I spotlight all this in a moment. A blog banner seemed just the right way to do this. Using some of my favorite projects and my inspiration- the boys- I put my banner together.....

Let me know what you think.

Do you like the new or the old?

Are the colors better?

Do you get a better feel of what my blog is all about?

Menu and new cooking blogs!

With the addition of 2 new blogs I am excited to try some new main dishes. Not to mention cooler weather means we and enjoy our favorite soups and chilis!

This week at our house....

Homemade Pizza

Turkey Roll Ups from Mommy's Kitchen

Roast, potatoes and garden carrots

Meatloaf from Country Cook

Chicken Rice Soup

Taco Casserole

For Desert I plan on trying a new Lemonade Pie from my dear friend. hmmm, maybe I will make that tonight! She promises it is refreshingly delightful! We will see and I will post pictures and the recipe.

Now I have to put a shout out for The Country Cook. I found her blog through Mommy's Kitchen Sunday Potluck link party. I love cooks that stick with basic ingredients in my pantry. They are even better when they remind me of growing up on the farm and in the country. It all comes down to comfort food for me but these are the biggest hits with my boys too. They haven't lived on a farm but they love to visit my uncles farm. Something about the dirt in your toes and the thrill of riding a tractor....

but I digress....

The Country Cook has lots of fun recipes that look great.

Shhh, please don't tell dear hubby she even has a recipe for "Magic Shell" ice cream topping.

He loves the stuff that will freeze on your ice cream. All my boys devour it (I know this is a common occurance) and I haven't boughten it in a while which means they could go through some withdrawls when I buy it again!

Or her Hamburger Steaks and gravy

Then for desert try her Shorcut Cheese Danish, I plan on trying it!

Ooh, Yummy!

These will be great recipes for my boys to learn to cook with too. At 11 and 9 they are wanting to learn to cook more. Love that! It helps that they have been watching food networks "Chopped" show with dad. It becomes a joke if your dish is chopped or not. Makes me smile and welcome them into the kitchen. I will have to have them pick a night to help cook and let them go at it while I supervise. Before long I will have them searching blogs for more great recipes to try! Who said having all boys was tough?!

Check out The Country Cook for your cook!

A New Cooking Blog!

Well, new to me at least......

I walked into work this week and found a co-worker looking at

Mommy's Kitchen

Ooooh, Leave that up!

I knew I needed to take a look. My menus have been in a rut lately, just waiting for cooler weather to make delicious soups and chili's.

Let me tell you what! I am excited to redo my menu for this coming week. I didn't finish my shopping yesterday and now I'm glad!

Her blog runner is just my style. Family meals, country style hit a nerve for me as well.

Then I scrolled down to find....

Homemade lunchables!

Then we had to search for a Peach Cobbler

ooh, my mouth is watering already! Fresh peaches wrapped in a warm flakey crust. Add a scoop of French vanilla ice cream! Peach Cobbler A la Mode!

My boys are eating school lunch (we are blessed to have a GOOD school lunch, homemade style) but these are good enough to tempt me to return to my old ways...

School Lunch Box ideas

Blackberry Dump Cake

Comfort food... Turkey & Stuffing on a weeknight!

Okay! ENOUGH ALREADY! My belly is growling and I've got work to do. Dinner is still a ways off. I would love to show you more but I just can't handle it. Take a look for yourself. A peek just won't do.

In the VERY unlikely event you can't get enough check out her Sunday Potluck! So many additional recipes linked up. You will definitely have enough to fill your menu!

Check her out! You will be in love!

Frugal Mom's.....

 I have to say I have one of the best sister-in-laws ever! 

She has so many great ideas. 

Every time we have a family dinner the ladies of the family sit and share tips to make life easier. My pea sized brain could NOT remember all the fabulous ideas and tips. I mentioned to her a couple of times she needed to write them down or compile a book for me or something! Her recipe for crockpot apple butter was what pushed me over the edge. After all, how was I suppose to remember this recipe we talked about at Christmas time 10 months later when it was time to harvest the apples!?!? 

OKAY! THAT'S IT! 

Over to the computer we went and set up her blog.

Now I get to visit every day for untold inspiration. 

So many of her ideas were passed down from generations but still have application today. 

You have to check it out!

Wanna know about that Apple Butter recipe?

How about square foot gardening? Let me tell you what! This gal can get amazing amounts of vegis from itty bitty spaces!

Frugality even at prom time!

Great menu ideas?

Simple recipes?

So many ideas to use every single day.

Go over. Check out all the great ideas she has. You won't be disappointed!

While you're at it become a follower. She wants to have 100+ followers by her birthday- July 7th.

She only needs 11 more.

Piece of cake.

You will be glad you did! 

Tightwad Mom's Frugal Forum

Dew This: Blog Spotlight

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If you need some ideas for St. Paddy's day decor check out Dew This!

She is a new blog I follow and I am impressed. I love the downloads she offers. Plus she has lots of other stuff too: recipes, mom tips, subway art, craft projects. She already has some done for March. I wasn't sure I was going to decorate for March, thought about going right to Easter since that's what I have but she has convinced me to do up some tiles and blocks for St Paddy's day. Something like this....

And a little of this....

How about some gift tags for those spring baby showers...

Of course you can get the girl tag too but I am, after all, Mom24Boys! ;-)

She is planning on doing some giveaways too. Of course this will be when she gets a few more followers, she's still a baby herself. Shouldn't be too long though cuz she has some great stuff! Check it out, follow and leave some love after you download some great stuff (cuz I know you will be)!

Versitile Blog Award!!

I am excited to have recieved another award. There is just something about someone liking what you have to say. I think it fills all of our buckets! 

Suz from Inspiring Creativeness gave me this Versitile Blog Award

THANK YOU!!!!

Of course we all enjoy a little love and it IS Valentines Day!!!!..... soooo

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.
2. Answer 10 questions.
3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy.
4. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

The 10 questions are....

1. Why did you create your blog?
Several of my friends were blogging and encouraged me to start. I didn't have anything specific in mind but the more I surfed other blogs the more the ideas came and it just took off from there. I am officially addicted to blogging!

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?
Crafting, cooking, home decor, and couponing. Of course ones with titles like The Boy Trifecta catch this mom 2 4 boys attention!

3. Favorite brand of make up..
Mary Kay! I have used it off and on for many years. I just love knowing exactly what color to get. And because of a sensitive face I like having a nice foundation to wear without looking caked on or heavy on my skin. Of course I liked their old foundation better than the new stuff. Currently I am in a minimalist phase. I wear very little makeup. DH thinks I am beautiful for me so he doesn't mind at all! I work nights so who sees my face in the dark anyway?! lol

4. Favorite brand of clothing.
That dream pair of jeans in my dresser I am DIEING to get back into. he he he... I don't have a favorite brand but my favorite store is "My sisters closet". Don't worry about googling it, she is my personal supplier! he he he. Oh, and I am the big sis- makes it even better to get little sis's clothes. She just has GREAT taste and only buys quality clothes that last forever!

5. Indispensible make up product.
Lipstick! I read somewhere that if you don't have time to "do" yourself up just put a little color on the lips and it will look like you've done something. Let me tell you IT WORKS! If I can at least do this I feel more confident and that is what counts. Besides then I can leave my mark on all of my boys as they head out the door. ;-)

6. Favorite color.
RED! Anyone who knows me will know this. Passionate and powerful! Plus it looks good on me.

7. Favorite perfume.   

I stopped wearing perfume several years ago. It makes my patients sick. Lets face it, when you don't feel good smells are just stronger and that is not good. So I don't have a favorite. Not sure I could even name on at the moment.....

8. Favorite movie.
I love the oldies: White Christmas, My Fair Lady etc but I am in LOVE with the Proposal! It is hilarious and Sandra Bullock is my favorite acctress!

9. What country would you like to visit and why.
DH and I have always wanted to go to Europe- Germany to be specific. We have friends there and in England. DH served a LDS mission to Germany right after the wall came down and would love to return.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?
I'd rather forget blush.........  It's pretty noticeable when someone forgets mascara!!!- Well said Suz!

Now for some great blogs worth following....

Creative Juices. Just found her and already have several new ideas to redo home decor!

Gina's Skinny Recipes Lots of yummy recipes with WW points figured out. You'd never know they were low fat.

My Daily SAHM Life- more great recipes and tips for a busy mom

The Boy Trifecta- how can it not be great with a name like that?! Check her out!

The Handmde Card Blog- So many great ideas for awesome cards.

Sisters Stuff- one of my Go To blogs for great ideas, recipes and more!

Lil' Luna- amazing and easy to follow tutorials.

Check these blogs out. You will be happy you did!

Beautify your blog....

I may have finally found some tips and tricks to changing my blog. I have been wanting to spice things up and add a few things but didn't know how. I blog for my own fun but love getting comments and posting other blog finds. When I found this tutorial series I had to post about it, mostly so I could find it again myself. Now maybe I can make a couple of buttons for myself and spice things up a bit. Keep watching for my changes (hopefully) ;-)

Momma Go Round

Stylish Blogger Award....

I have been thrilled lately each time I get on my blog. I suddenly have lots of people interested in what I have done. Let's admit it, we all love a little love in return. It is exciting to hear what you all think of my latest project. I was even more thrilled to be awarded the Stylish Blogger Award from Amanda at City girl gone Coastal. It's the little things that make my day. Amanda- you made my day today! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So here are the rules:

1.  Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great blogs.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.
    
   7 Things about Me....
   1- I feel privileged to be among an elite group of ladies that are moms to ALL boys. It's a unique world!
   2. I credit a wonderfully creative mother for all my craftiness. She inspires me still.
   3. I can't sit still....really! I have to be doing something all the time. Even watching t.v. I sit with my laptop, scrapbooking or blogging or something.
   4. I'm a Christian AND a Mormon.
   5. I love finding a great deal and making my $1 stretch.
   6. I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes.
   7. I hate to be alone. I don't have to be talking all the time, just need someone close.
   
   
   Now for 15 fabulous blogs....
   1. Crafts & such
   2. Crafty Chic Mommy
   3. Dew This
   4. Everybody loves Raymond...and Kat
   5. Pinching your Pennies 
   6. Full of Great Ideas
   7. Gina's Skinny Recipes
   8. House of Hepworths
   9. Jaimie cooks it Up 
   10. Keeping it Simple
   11. Lil' Luna- All Things Good
   12. Not just a Housewife
   13. The Boy Trifecta 14. Tightwad Mom's Frugal Forum
   15. The Scrap Shoppe
   
   Each of these blogs inspires me and helps me build my happily ever after. From crafts to deal shopping to great recipes, you'll find a little bit of everything. Check them out and enjoy learning something new!

I've been featured at Simply Sweet Home....

I was so excited when Jerri said she liked my recipes enough to feature them on her blog! I never thought MY recipes would be there when I decided to link up to here party. WOW!! How exciting!!! There were a ton of great recipes. Check them out for some yummy delights. And thanks Jerri for making this gal's day!

One Lovely Blog Award

Thank you so much to my dear Sis-in-law for this award. It is so nice to have all her wonderful ideas written down. You can find them all on her blog Tightwad Mom's Frugal Forum. And don't worry. She has only scratched the surface of all her fabulous tidbits.

There are tons of amazing blogs out there. With this blog comes the opportunity to highlight some of those blogs. Here are the rules....

1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2. Pay it forward to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.

3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.

With that in mind here are some of my favorite blogs. I have gotten great tips from these. Check 'em out for lots of fun stuff and ideas....

1- Hand Picked Freebies

2- Oopsey Daisy

3-Organize and Decorate Everything

4-Keeping it Simple

5-Latter-Day Chatter

6-Elegant WordArt

7-LDS Activity Days

8-Wendy's Activities

9-Sisterstuff

10-Shanty2Chic

11-Clean Mama

12-Everybody Loves Raymond...and Kate

13-Eighteen25

14-I heart naptime

15-LDS Handouts

I love the variety of all these blogs, from crafting to cooking to church; check 'em out for the ideas you need!

Halloween projects

I was suppose to work but got put on call so instead of working I am spending the evening watching AFV and blog surfing for great harvest crafts.
Lots of great ideas at Crafting for my sanity. Plus I have all the supplies already!

EEK! at Paint it sew spootacular

I've seen lots of these going around. Bonus again- all the supplies are on hand already. Side benefits of building a bedroom!
Chapman place

I think my Activity Days girls would love to make these....Adding it to the calendar for this week...
Brown Paper Packages

These are not harvest projects but I enjoyed the tips and thought you might too.....
My Repurposed Life:Blog tips

House of Hepworths. My mom actually made one of these for me several years ago but a pouting dog shredded it. I think it is time to make another. Dryer vent pumpkin.

Oh boy. It looks like I have some work to do. Anyone want to join me???

My First Blog Award

Well, I never thought I would get one of these but it pays to know great women. My sister in law (who really should have been born my SISTER) gave me this. She has the most amazing ideas. I don't know where she gets them all from or how she manages to remember them all. After I started blogging last year I kept after her to start. It was a bit selfish I must admit. I, for one, can't remember all the ideas she shares at family gatherings. I needed a place to refer to. And I thought of a ton of others who would love to know of her genius as well. Finally, at Christmas time, we got her blog started. Tightwad Mom's Frugal Forum. The name says it all. Need suggestions on saving and cutting costs, or just a general household tip, this is the blog to check out. To me she is one of those people I MUST have know before I knew her. We were destined to be related! I am thrilled to call her sister and hold her dear to my heart. Check her out and be dazzled!

With this award comes some responsibilities.

First, Thank you Tina!

Second: share 7 (SEVEN!) things about myself. Ok, I'd rather talk about my family or other people but...

1-  I have been a nurse for 10 years working in both acute and community health care settings. My favorite place to work has been my current job at EIRMC on the cardiac care floor. I enjoy helping patients recover from open heart surgery or just a heart attack. The heart is amazingly resilient. My most memorable experience was doing CPR during surgery. We worked so hard to save this patient but in the end had to let him go. It was tough but exhilarating to be part of such a dynamic team working to save 1 life.

2- I love to craft. I go into a store and see something and think "I can do that". If I haven't made anything after a while I start to go through withdrawals and have to get my "fix". In a house of boys it keeps me sane.

3- I love to scrapbook. I have done so for about 17 years. I scrap-booked before it was so popular so I have a wide range of styles. My earlier books are so simple, and probably not archival quality but I love to look back at the changes in my life. One day, I hope my children will appreciate all the work I've done and love the legacy left to them as much as I do.

4- Yep, I'm a coupon fanatic. I get a crazy high off of coming out of the store with bags and bags of groceries and still having money in my pocket. This was an impossible feat with 4 boys before I learned the skill of coupon shopping. Now, I revel in it!

5- I love the morning time. 6-10 am is my favorite time of the day! I love to have the morning sun shine right in my kitchen window. I love the cool crispness you enjoy during those summer hours. I love the feeling of waking refreshed and anew. And I love the feeling of getting a jump start to the day, then looking back that evening to all that I accomplished.

6- I still enjoy playing in the dirt. When I was little we had huge mounds of dirt in the yard. Dad would spread it around to extend our yard. Since we only had river rock on the property he would haul in spud dirt to level out. While he was a work us kids would dig and play in the "dirt pile". Now my "dirt pile" is my garden. I get a great sense of satisfaction from growing our own food, carving our own pumpkins or seeing my little boys pick a tomatoe fresh out of the garden and eat it like an apple.

7- I am proud to say I know how to can and preserve my garden vegi's. Canning and sewing are becoming lost arts and I am ever so thankful to a mother who taught me these skills. Last year I processed over 300 bottles of food; green beans, pickled beats, pears, peaches, apples, applesauce, salsa, corn, carrots, broccoli, and stew.

Third: I have to pick 15 blogs I have been to recently to pass this award on to.

brown paper packages 

Digital Daisy's Handpicked Freebies

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Keep it Simple

Latter-day Chatter

LDS Handouts

Made with Love and Glue

Not so Idle Hands

See Me VT

Shanty 2 Chic

Sisters Stuff

Tater tots and Jello

Dating Divas

Polkadot Chair 

Elegant Wordart

My Daily SAHM Life

And Fourth: I'll be letting each of these blogs know.

I love to see all the great ideas I come across in blogland. They are inspiring to me. I am so thankful for all the talented ladies out there who willingly share their talents and allow me to improve my family life.