Birthday Blessings

On my birthday, I am always reminded of my countless blessings. From my family (of course this includes my pup, Jake), to my friends, to my students - I am constantly surrounded by love, and I really couldn't ask for more. I have so much joy in my life, and therefore, I really do have it all.

I just wanted to share the lovely gift my husband got me this year. He said that the theme for my present was "Follow Your Dream." Since I have a lot of dreams, I really didn't know what to expect. First, let's check out his cute lil' mismatched wrapping job...

See the Little Mermaid paper? He is so cute. I can't even handle it sometimes. So - wanna know what I got? My dream craft station mega kit! Not only did I get a "crafter's toolbox" with all of the necessities, but he got me a customizable craft station! I am SO pumped about setting it up in the basement. We are waiting until after our garage sale, though. Here it is, in all it's glory...

My Wonderful Gift

Rolling Cart with Drawers

File Drawers

Shelves/Organizers

Peg Boards

Desk Top

Spinning Organizing Caddy

Paintbrush Set

Mini Screwdrivers

Mini Pliers

Mini Tape Measure

Various Clamps

Bone File

Hobby Knife Set

Non-stick Scissors

Magnifier Lamp

Hot Glue Gun Stand

I wish I could set it all up today. I can barely handle the anticipation! Oh, and did you see the glue gun stand that my husband built for me? I found the idea on Pinterest and thought it was awesome. This will definitely come in handy - especially the built-in tile to catch the glue drips! I had been using a paper plate - haha. The little box on the end is perfect for storing the glue sticks, too. Yay!

In conclusion, my husband is wonderful. He doesn't mind that I'm constantly bringing strange "treasures" into our house, or that I often ask him to slow down when we pass a nice-looking trash pile. He's just a great guy, and I'm so lucky to have him. Thank you, honey, for these wonderful gifts and for supporting and nurturing all of my dreams. I love you unconditionally.

Oh, and how can I forget? My birthday ended marvelously with a Rainbow Cone. Dee-lish!

...and yes, it tastes as good as it looks.

Take Time for Lemonade,

Kris

Neighbor Welcome Basket

We just had some new neighbors move-in next door to us. They seem very nice, and have two Labrador Retrievers! Hopefully they like Jake. So far, they've just been friendly barking through the fence to one another. New besties?!

Anyway, I decided to bring over a welcome basket, introduce ourselves, and exchange contact information. Since I spent four hours making kolacky with my Grandma today, I decided that baking was out of the question. So, I put together a quick little basket with a few goodies for the new homeowners.

Neighbor Welcome Basket

HGTV Magazine

Painting Pamphlets

All-Purpose Paintbrush

Painter's Tape

Picture Hanger Kit

Card with Neighbor Contact Info

I thought that these were items that every new home owner could definitely use. I was kinda psyched about the picture hanger kit.
Wish we had one!

I made the "Welcome" sign and card from paint swatches (FREEEEEE!!!). I found one that was particularly applicable to the situation, and put it in front:

"Warm Welcome"

Love the saying...love the paint color!

Gotta love SIMPLE and FREE

 It's fun to play around with paint swatches to make different color combinations!

Just a little welcome package...

Hope this basket helps my new neighbors turn their new
house into a HOME!

Take Time for Lemonade,

Kris

This post has been linked to:

Tatertots and Jello
A Vision to Remember
Lolly Jane Boutique
Along for the Ride
Craft Envy
Creation Corner
Fingerprints on the Fridge
The Shabby Nest
Just a Girl
Pinkapotamus
Nifty Thrifty Things
Flamingo Toes
Dittle Dattle
Under the Table and Dreaming
Home Savvy

Grilled Cheese with Attitude

My dearest friend had a beautiful baby girl last week, and guess what?! I'm the Godmother! I went to see the baby (her name's Victoria), and thought I'd bring some snacks for the fam, since they're probably busy and what-not. I thought and thought about something that would please a two-year-old and two adults. It also had to be something simple, because I am not a chef by any means. Not an easy task. Then, I had an idea...

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup!

Who doesn't like that? Turns out, two-year-old children don't - but that's beside the point.

Personally, I thought they were delicious.

Parmesan-Crusted Italian Grilled Cheese
Italian Bread (Arnold)
Parmesan, Romano, Asiago Blend (in shaker - Kraft)
Italian Seasoning Blend
Sliced White American Cheese
Sliced Cheddar Cheese
Vegetable Oil Spread (I used "Move Over Butter!")

Basically - it's your standard grilled cheese sandwich, but with some attitude. Spread the margarine/butter spread on one side of the bread. Shake a little of the Parmesan mix and the Italian seasoning onto the bread. Put this slice spread-side-down on the griddle. Put one slice each of the American and Cheddar cheeses. Top with another slice of bread (complete with spread, Parmesan and seasoning on the outside as well). Flip around and cook until they're a pretty golden brown! Substitute with any cheeses/breads you desire.

* NOTE - I discovered that these are best served fresh off the griddle, but they also reheat decently.

I also cut the sandwiches up for easy reheating...

 

Oh! Don't forget the tomato soup! Come on now...did you think I would split-up this romantic union?

Then, I tied it all up with a little bow and tag. 

Easy as pie! Grilled cheese.

Hope you enjoy this easy lil' recipe as much as I did! 

My husband also approves.

Take Time for Lemonade,
Kris

This post has been linked to:

Tip Junkie

The Project Queen

Ginger Snap Crafts

Sugar and Dots

Not Just a Housewife

Gift Wrapping on the Cheap

One of my favorite things to buy at garage sales is wrapping supplies. There's no need to spend a ton of money in order to make a gift look beautiful, and those party stores will definitely empty your pockets! With wrapping paper selling in stores for around $4 a roll and bows for around $2 or $3, you have to get creative. Since I enjoy making presents look pretty when I go to showers, weddings, birthdays or other events, I have learned to pick up accents throughout my garage sale adventures. After all, it's all about presentation!

Here are a few examples of wrapping "on the cheap" :

EXHIBIT A:

 

Baby Shower Gift

Wrapping Paper (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Ribbon (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Baby Bottle (Garage Sale) - 5 cents

Buttons (Garage Sale) - less than 5 cents

Wire Spiral - 10 cents

Picture Frame (Bargain Buy) - 50 cents

Entire Wrapped Gift - about $1.20

(with materials left over!)

 

 I filled the little plastic baby bottle with some white buttons, and included some blue socks and a blue wire spiral to add some cuteness to the package. Also, it's always good to put something personal in a frame when you give one as a gift. If you don't have photos, use a personalized message!

You may recognize the little beaded spiral accent from one of my previous posts:

I simply stretched out the wire a little bit and cut it in half with a wire cutter. Then, I crimped the edges over so they weren't sharp and the beads didn't fall off. 

EXHIBIT B:

I made these bags for the prize winners at my Fourth of July party:

Party Prize Packages

Colorful Lunch Bags (Bargain Buy) - 20 cents each

Ribbon (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Gift Tags (After Christmas Clearance) - 10 cents for all

Colorful Brads (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Flag Toothpicks (Dollar Store) - $1.00 for a big bag

Shredded Glimmer Filler (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

All Wrapped Prizes (8 bags total) - around $3.45

(with materials left over!)

I cut up the extra bags to make "frames" around the tags. That way, the bags coordinated perfectly together, since it would be difficult to find paper to match that exactly.

EXHIBIT C:

Tropical Birthday Gift

Plain Colorful Wrapping Paper (Bargain Bin) - 99 cents each

Beach Paper Cut-outs (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Beach Flowered Wire (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Stickers (Garage Sale) - 25 cents

Entire Wrapped Gift - around $3.75

Decorative wire is great for many purposes, but it especially works well for making big bows on big gifts (like the one shown above). Get creative and have fun! Make sure your gift is the best looking one on the table. No one will believe how much you spent on the wrapping job! Don't forget, though - the best part about giving gifts is putting a smile on someone's face. So gift away!

Take Time for Lemonade,

Kris