This weekend 2 of my longtime friends got married.

{not Lucas :) }

And it was a match made in Heaven!

Go here to read about how they got together.

(p.s. don't overcook and enjoy by dunking in a glass of milk!)

For your review

New in the shop~

(a few others there as well...)

Happy Birthday, Zachary

I'm still trying to recover from the Friday night whirlwind that was Zachary's 8th birthday party/sleepover.

Actually, it wasn't bad. Really it wasn't.

(I'm serious!)

They had hotdogs, Pokemon, cake, Pokemon, football games, Pokemon, pillow fights, oh and Pokemon.

The kids were very polite and well mannered.

I even had one little boy ask permission before he whacked the dog with his pillow.

The worst part of the entire event?

No, not the dirt on the carpet.

Not straightening the couch cushions 118 times.

Not feeling like I was "right at work."

It was the entire crew waking up at 5:50 am....on a Saturday morning....on Spring Break.

I haven't been up that early since Lucas was a newborn.

My kids aren't even allowed to get up that early.

At least there was a nap for me and an early bedtime for my kids on Saturday night! :)

Happy birthday, Zachary! I love you!

It's that time of year again~

And looks like Lucas will be easy to spot this season:

Hot Fudge Root Beer Floats~

First, let me apologize for not including a picture of these. The lighting was poor, the kids were acting like this was their 1st meal in a month and I was trying to make the picture "pretty" despite the weird brown background that is our wood paneling and old wooden table. Needless to say the photos were less than appetizing. I hope to post a picture in the future.

So you'll just have to take my word for it that these were both pretty and delicious.

1. Make hot fudge sauce

2. Fill glasses with vanilla ice cream

3. Top with a ridiculous amount of hot fudge sauce

4. Pour IBC root beer over the top

5. Listen to your 4 year old say, "Mom, this is SO, SO Yummy!" at least 5 times.

I've included a wonderful recipe for homemade hot fudge sauce. It was given to me by my friend, Suzie, who was gracious enough to share it with me. Super easy and super yummy to make. Plus you can heat it to a thick consistency or take it off the heat when still very "liquidy."

(Suzie, are you out there???? I don't think so....

I realize there are only 3 of you who actually read this.

Maybe just 2.)

By the way, this is not Suzie. However, I'm sure this is Suzie Homemaker.

Catching up~

Ok. While I realize you have thoroughly enjoyed looking at my "Triangle Wrapping Tutorial" for the last 20 days, the show must go on~

A few weeks ago, the kids got 2 days off school because of our "big" 1 inch snow storm!

If you live in central Texas then you already know that school

gets cancelled at the mere hint of snow.

If you live elsewhere, then don't make fun of us be jealous of us.

This may be one of the top 5 cookie recipes in the world.

Go make some.

Well, I'm actually employed now.

And while technically a "lunchroom monitor," it's easier just to refer to me as the lunch lady.

This may be the most romantic gift I have ever received for Valentine's Day.

Seriously.

Love it and love my husband's sense of humor.

I just love this new banner that is in the shop. It's made from vintage playing cards and handmade fabric "ribbon."

For those of you asking, " I wonder if it is worth the time and effort to make your own handmade ribbon?"

No. It is not.

Triangle Wrapping Tutorial

I'm a sucker for cute gift wrapping.

So when I saw these little paper packets online, I knew I wanted to make some.

Here's how:

You can start with just about any size of paper. I used scrapbook paper for mine, but you can also use regular wrapping paper. I made a few Valentine packets (don't know what else to call these!) for the boy's teachers and used them to wrap little bags of candy. For the Valentine ones, I started with a 12x12 piece of scrapbook paper.

Because my candy bag wasn't very big, I folded the left edge of the paper over a little. I suppose you could just cut it off, but if does make a nice "hemmed" edge.

Fold the right side of the paper about 3/4 (or a little more) over the candy (or whatever you are wrapping).

Now fold the left side over the top.

Sew across the bottom to secure the papers. I used a standard stitch length and backstitched at the beginning and the end.

Now pinch together the top side of the papers in the opposite way of the seam you just made.

And sew the papers together in the same way.

Clip the hanging threads.

For decorative purposes, use speciality scissors to make a nice border. Or use pinking shears.

Decorate with ribbon or other embellishments.

I am considering making some little rings for my Etsy shop.

If I do, I will package them in little packets like this to send to my customers.

You can make these little packets in any size.

Here is a tiny one I made that would perfectly hold a little ring.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you make any...would love to see them!