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!

Clipboard project

Each week my friend and I get together and do some project or another. It has become something I look forward to each week. My little piece of indulgence. Just some girl time to talk and laugh and enjoy while the boys are in school.

Our plan over the next little while is geared towards organization. Appropriate for springtime don't you think? This week we opted for clipboards. One for each boy. They were already given explicit instructions that their school papers go on their clipboard, not in front of mom while I am in the middle of preparing dinner.

Having all boys can be easy in some ways. I simply pick the same style and somewhat coordinating papers and repeated the process 4 times.

I love the way they turned out. I am totally into monograms right now. It gives each of them ownership of something and a place to put their stuff.

Of course there is a draw back...

I amy not want anything covering up MY artwork. he he he!!

Since I already had my cricut out I cut some more monograms.....

One for each of the boys doors. Except the 2 little boys still share a room. That will change in the coming months but that is what is great about vinyl. It is easily taken off.

I also cut a "Welcome" sign for my front door. My friends looks amazing on her cream door. I wondered if you would notice my on my brown door but dear hubby commented on it as soon as he walked in. Yeah, he knows just what to say to make me smile! Gotta love the man!

So what do you think? Are you a fan of monograms too?
Linking up:

Closet organization

I had been putting off this project but last week I finally got to organizing my hall closet. It seems like just yesterday I was organizing it. Of course that was when we had just moved in, 6 months ago. WOW! And we all know how quickly such places fall into disarray.

I pulled things out and put them on the counter one shelf at a time. On black Friday I bought new towels, more than I intended. Dear hubby had said we needed more. Well, we now have lots of towels. Too many towels. Like, I'm in big laundry trouble if I have to wash all of 'em. Somewhere I had read you should hvae 3 towels per person and 2 sets of sheets per bed so with this in mind I sorted through all the towels. Some of them I sent to the DI. I kept a few to upcycle with another project. I didn't have too many sheets so that was easier. I have been slowly getting rid of pink lacey pillowcases. Afterall have you read my blog title? Uhm yeah, "No pink allowed"!

My dear friend came over and I had to showoff my work. She is always generous with her compliments. VERY GENEROUS! Makes me feel wonderful. ;-)

She laughed at me too. Notice my towels?.....

I smile everytime I see the coordination. Makes me happy. Yeah, I know it's overkill but I am totally type A!

Ahhh, clean and organized. Now if I could just get my basement somewhat organized!

Menu and Cheesy Italian Chicken

This weeks menu is rather simple. I am trying to cycle out some of the things in my freezer....

Ham with mashed potatoes and steamed vegis

Fruity Chicken Salad

Taco soup- using taco base in freezer

Spagetti- I plan to beef up the sauce with fresh vegis from Bountiful Baskets

Cheesy Italian Chicken

On the weekend it works well for us to just wing it. My pantry is stocked with supplies for most of our meals anyway. On Sunday I love clearing out leftovers. Cleans the fridge and mom doesn't have to cook. 

I will be making some of the cookie mixes we have as well. Just added incentive for clean plates after dinner.

I will also have to spend so time entering meals into WW again. With working this weekend I haven't done that yet.
Thanks Kaylyn, now I have a new resource for WW recipes too. Skinny Recipes- check it out. I will be trying several of the dip recipes for Superbowl Sunday. She has already figured out all the points info.

Cheesy Italian Chicken

Girlfriends on the Go

(this can be frozen too)

4-6 chicken breast cut in pieces

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

3/4 cup milk

3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs

2 cups Monterey Jack cheese

Mix soup, milk, bread crumbs, and cheese together. Add chicken pieces. If freezing, place chicken in freezer bag. Mix all other ingredients together and pour over chicken in the bag. Otherwise, cook in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hrs. Stir often so cheese doesn't stick to the bottom. Serve over rice or noodles.

Pallet shelf/coathook....

I have had a pallet sitting in my garage waiting for this project. My plan this month is to finish projects I have planned or purchased supplies for.

I loved the natural wood color but I needed some color against my cream walls so I opted for blue for Keegan's room.

 I added hooks so he would have somewhere to hang his coat and backpack.

 You know "A place for everything and everything in it's place"

 I love how it turned out but.....

we ran into a problem. I tested the door and it was ok. I just didn't plan for the hooks. See that last hook, yeah, the one right against the 'mostly' open door.  UGH!! I am afraid someone is gonna run into the door and POP!! the hook is gonna go right through. So down it comes. I will have to make something different for him. Perhaps like Tyler's.

I also made this for my bathroom.

 Yeah, dear hubby has to read while on the throne. Why is it that guys have to read while in the bathroom? I think it is just so they can hide. Of course it would never work for mom. The boys find me no matter where I am! Ladies, you know what I'm talkin' about don't you!

Blue for boys, red for mom.

I am pleased with it but I need your help. I want to put some vinyl on the front of it but not sure what. Any suggestions?

We also made one for my friend. 3 shelves from 1 pallet. Not too bad.
Linking up: