It isn’t everyday that my kids actually praise dinner and ask for more... but tonight that actually happened! Busy days and running around from activity to activity make it really hard to get home cooked meals on the table, but this recipe for crunchy Rice Krispies coated chicken is quick and easy, plus it uses only minimal ingredients I almost always have on hand.  It is a great recipe for a busy mom, and the fact the kids ate ALL of it and even asked for more is a huge bonus.

Father’s Day is coming up and today’s project would be a great gift for dad.  It is a pretty straight forward sewing project (all straight lines) and it is completely customizable depending on what exactly you want to carry around.
I made sure my organizer had room for both small hand tools (like screwdrivers, wrenches and pencils) along with large pockets that could accommodate larger items, like garden tools, hammers and a Brita water bottle.  When working outside or in a hot workshop it is important to keep hydrated and so having water bottle within reach is a must.


With this organizer you can have all your tools close at hand, along with storage for large items in the bucket itself. It is like a portable workshop!

So how did I make it?  Spoiler: It took me less than an afternoon...

Since this is Memorial Day weekend I am sharing a patriotic flag craft.  I’ve seen really cool cross stitched peg board creations on Pinterest, where people have used yarn or twine to actually stitch the pegboard, but I wanted a faster and easier way.  So I decided I would just paint the ‘stitching.'

Today’s post is a craft I wouldn’t have normally attempted if I hadn’t been challenged by Kathy of Petticoat Junktion to come up with a project that used seashells (is that right? or is it sea shells”? meh.. whatever.)

Now you all know I went a little “nautical” crazy in the baby’s nursery, but I never used shells anywhere, so this was a real challenge.  After brainstorming and brainstorming I came to the realization that I couldn’t come up with anything unique that actually used the shells themselves, but I had a genius idea to use the shells as STAMPS and create a great craft.

I kicked it off with this custom built x-leg bench that I sized to fit a pair of storage crates.

Recently my post about how I painted my kitchen cabinets broke the 2 million pageview mark.  And I was reminded that back when I was figuring out the optimal technique for painting my cabinets, that I did research,  A LOT OF RESEARCH,  into how other professionals, bloggers and homeowners painted their cabinets.  It was google search after google search, asking my friends, turning to social media…  I was trying to get as much information as I could and it was a lot of work.  What I really needed at the time was a place to go where all that information was gathered in ONE spot.  With lists of options and links to actual tutorials.  A cheat sheet to cabinet painting.

I have been all about concrete these days!  I used it at Easter (since everyone needs concrete easter eggs) and have been trying to thinking up other things to make.  So I was surfing around Hometalk and found TONS of great ideas for planters and garden decor.   So many ideas that I had to create my own “Concrete Planters that ROCK" clipboard to collect them all:

They made it look so easy, so I headed to the thrift store and found things I could use as mold and the result is my very own SCALLOPED VERSION:
Creating these couldn’t be easier (and the best part is the supplies are reusable so I can make as many as I want without breaking the molds!)

It has been a while since I’ve tackled a building project and my recent spring backyard cleanup has finally given me the excuse to get back out to the workshop and generate some sawdust.

I needed a storage solution for the backyard, but due the limited space I wanted something that would double as seating.  I couldn’t find anything commercially available that was NOT either:

Every spring since I first started blogging I have written a reflective mother’s day post.  It is the one day where I reflect on my role as a mother and I think about all the other mothers in my life.  What I have learned from them, why I admire them, and how they have changed me.

Every year the subject is slightly different (from advice to new moms to the difference between working parenthood and staying at home) but the SPIRIT of the posts is always the same: Being a mom is amazing.  Challenging, heartbreaking, frustrating and even infuriating.. but also AMAZING.

Today’s recipe is so easy and quick, and has so few ingredients, that are you aren’t going to believe how flavorful it really is.  Since Foster Farms gave me the opportunity to use their 100% natural Simply Raised fresh chicken in a recipe**  I decided to share this Mexican recipe that features not only the flavors of Mexico, but also contains locally produced chicken from my home state of California.


I actually discovered this recipe for Saucy Mexican Chicken online a long time ago, and kept wondering how it could have so many 5-star reviews since it was so simple.  I mean, it is only chicken and three additional ingredients!  How in the world would that give you anything that tasted so fresh and flavorful?!  But it does.

I can’t believe my baby boy is already two.  It seems like only a blink of the eye that I was announcing him to the world!  To celebrate his birthday this past weekend, we threw him a little family party.  I didnt’ want to go over the top since he doesn’t really understand the concept of birthdays, plus  I know he won’t remember it anyhow.. but the girls wanted to do SOMETHING and so a party was in order.

Welcome back to another You're Gonna Love It Party. It is the first Monday of the month which means ANYTHING GOES!  Link up your etsy shop, sponsored posts, giveaways.. The sky is the limit!  (Well, keep it family friendly of course! ;) )
It has been another crazy week for me.. It is taking me a while since coming back from SNAP to get all my projects up to full speed.  

I did give you a SNAP recap:


And got inspiration for my Memorial Day mantel:

And messed around with some paint to create this funky mason jar:

You know me.. I’m am a little bit OBSESSED with seasonal mantels and today I’m brainstorming for Memorial day.   I created this great board over on Hometalk  (if you don’t follow me there you can!)


Last June I also rounded up these 15 Patriotic Mantels if a dozen isn’t enough:


This year I’m thinking of using my paper straw American Flag, and I’ll probably create another reclaimed wood sign (since I seem to be a one trick pony!)

I have used this Pottery Barn Knock-Off Beadboard version for a while now, and it is time to change it up!

Most people make flags, but I want something different.  I am loving this star artwork from Sweet Rose Studio:

And Mine for Making incorporated chalkboard paint into hers (which is currently my Siren’s song) so of course I love it:

Lastly, I know I said “no flags” but this etsy listing is so fabulous I may ignore my own rule.

I'd love to hear any ideas you have!

Today’s project isn’t really about the final product, although my test mason jar came out pretty cool.  It is more about the technique and the result of playing with different layers of paint on the two sides of clear glass.  I have painted the inside and outside of glass vases before, but I wanted to see if I could double up the technique.