PinterTest Kitchen: A Little of This and A Little of That

Are you still in love with Pinterest? I think I'm still "in-like" but I feel like it's lost its luster. Regardless of that, there are still a million things I've pinned and want to try, so I'll keep revisiting my lonely boards!

Thanks Jess for this fun opportunity and challenge to make what we pin!

I have missed being crafty SO much. Last year when I was unemployed for a while I opened up an Etsy shop, because it seemed like I had endless amounts of time to create! But now, my days are filled with wedding plans, going to work, and being with my friends which are finally home from college.

This past Saturday I had quite a headache and spent the morning inside. My friend Haeley had recently gave me two canvases that she was about to donate, and I quickly jumped to save them from the Goodwill pile. I went on Pinterest to find some sort of artsy thing I could make out of these two 8x10 canvases. Here is my Pinspiration.

Source: oh-baby-here-comes-the-sound.tumblr.com via Jamie on Pinterest

I quickly went on a mad search for my brush-on mod podge and had no luck, so following a tutorial was not going to be easy. With two canvases and 5 hours of free time, I had time to come up with something original.

I didn't want to mess up my first run with a blank canvas, so I went with something I had seen before. I remembered seeing the crayon craft go crazy with success all over pinterest and various blogs so I knew that would be a success. 

My first craft was this:

It looks cool..don't get me wrong. But I should have actually LOOKED at my pin before I glued crayons down...because I totally forgot to do one large rainbow instead of multiple rainbows. The colors all ran together and made a brown-ish type mess. 

Now just to go buy another box of crayons and try again!
(update: go to Walmart -- packs of 96 crayons for $2!!)

Here is my second project (the original-ish one):

I recently bought an old hymnal from the local used books shop. I was given my grandparents old hymnals but can't bring myself to ripping out the pages, so I went and got one that I had no emotional attachment to! I will be using the hearts as confetti for my wedding, but I will definitely hire one of my crafty friends to do that on our wedding craft extravaganza night instead of me doing all of them by myself! 

I love turning the pages and seeing old hymns that you never hear sung anymore. This hymnal even had the National Anthem in it! Not sure it qualifies as a hymn though..

Rock of Ages is one of my most favorite hymns, so when I stumbled across it I made sure I didn't punch any hearts out of it. Then I decided I would display it somehow..and this is what I came up with. Not really from a specific pin, but I really like how it turned out. 

I used hot glue to make the hearts stick and double sided tape for the paper. It is really thin so I didn't want to ruin it with something heavy duty. I will definitely be making more crafts from this hymnal, it is such a great way to preserve and cherish the songs that we love!

I look forward to moving in a couple months and decorating our new place with the stuff I create! The one request Seth had for decorating was that our walls are not bear, and that was music to my ears. I LOVE having the walls covered, it makes me anxious to be in a blank room!

Yesterday I went out and bought 6 shadow boxes. Yes, I said 6.

The crafting bug came around my house and bit me again.

Look out world, I've got some creative crap coming your way!

I'm excited to see what you guys have been making and baking!!

Wordless Wedneday - Ok Maybe Just a Few

 Friday night, I pulled up to Seth's house only to find this:

 

I cried. I turned red. I told him he couldn't leave the house. Actually, I cried for the next 4 hours.

The moment still haunts me.

You see, I might be marrying the goofiest man in town, who else would shave beloved facial hair for a 2 hour event? His disguise? A man in a wheel chair with a USA leather jacket and a handlebar mustache. Lord, help me.

I love him so dearly, but sometimes he makes me crazy. Crazy, in love and crazy mental. 

Linking up with Julie for Wordless Wednesday!

11 Miles - Weekly Update and Some Rambling

I am a little over 1/4 of the way to 40 miles!

But starting this weekend all my productivity goes down hill for 2 weeks.

I'll be at camp, which I guess will be pretty good exercise counting on my need to chase after junior highers 24/7. I'll let you know how that goes. I'm not complaining though, camp happens to be in beautiful, sunny San Diego!

Leaving early from camp, I'm going to a wedding in Milwaukee! My sweet cousin Alyssa is getting married! Knowing Wisconsin it will be 800 degrees and humid and I won't want to be outside. But I'll be with my family that I haven't seen in much too long.

40 miles in June may turn into 40 miles in June and July, but I'm ok with that. Because these next two weeks are going be great.

And this weekend? I'm dying to tell you but it's a secret. A secret I can barely hold in.

I can't wait to tell you all about it :)

Ok, must leave now before I tell you!

xo

10-4 Good Buddy: A Link Up!

I recently started following Abby's adorable blog at Akers of Love! Who doesn't love an easy and fun blog post where you get to answer questions, and meet new friends?! 

1. When is your birthday?

  July 26th 

2. What's the best advice your mom ever gave you?

My mom has always taught me that being kind and smart, is always better than popular and pretty. She always encouraged me to find friends who loved me for me. 

3. What's your number one weakness when it comes to food?

 Cupcakes. I just can't say no. 

4. What's the latest recipe you've tried and loved? 

   How about the only recipe I've tried lately? Me and my wannabe housewife self obviously need to get cookin'. Seth and I did try these Bacon Wrapped Weenies recently, and I've never been more successful with a recipe in my life. 

Sweet, juicy, bacon goodness. And low carb too? Heaven help us. 

You can thank me later for the recipe: http://www.instructables.com/id/Bacon-Wrapped-Weenies/

5. What is your favorite post from last month? {May}

    My favorite post was reminiscing about Palm Springs -- I <3 me some Palm Springs! 

Palm Springs, I Love You

6. What's your drink of choice in the summer?

    Sangria. You really can't go wrong with Sangria! And Coke Zero -- always a good choice.

7. What's the best advice your dad ever gave you?

   I'm not sure of specific advice...but he has always encouraged me to be independent and responsible. I am thankful for that. 

8. What is God teaching you right now?

    Trust. Trust in His word, His promise, and His timing.

For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
(2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV)

9. What are you looking forward to most about the summer?

   SO many things. ALL of the pre-wedding festivities. And of course...our wedding!!

10. What is your favorite picture from last month?  {May}

He makes me the happiest girl in the world. 

  

Join me in this fun link up!
xo

40 Miles in June

Ever since the beginning of time, I have hated running. Let's be honest, I hate all kinds of intense physical movement. Running, jogging, fast-walking, working out in general...I could be sedentary for life and die happy.

But there's a certain huge life event on September 7th called my wedding, and though I'd like to believe those commercials that sell electrically charged 6-pack ab creators that work while you sleep...I can't. And I might actually have to do some physical activity to look my best for my boo.

Seth swears I could gain 500 pounds and he wouldn't mind, but I'd rather not test that theory. 

Here's some more comic relief to prove my love of not exercising for the past 21 years. 

This is what I looked like until I was about 14. 

When I saw this insta a few days ago, I decided that walking 40 miles in June is something I could do.  I can walk a few days a week with my buds or my dog, have fun, and look great! My two close friends walk/run ALL the time so I can just join in. I've heard this rumor that it gets easier every time, and I'm tempted to believe it.

Today on June 2nd, I'm at 7 miles. Woot! 

I live in a super hilly area, so my butt is SORE, but it's that good kind of sore that makes you want to go back and do it again. It helps that my mom is out of town and the dog needs to be walked. Yesterday, the walk was so intense that my ridiculously energetic dog couldn't keep going. She started plopping on any shady spot she could find!

I love having a number to reach, and a place where I can easily track my miles, and get encouragement from some lovely ladies who hate exercising as much as I do (even if they don't admit it).  

So here's to 33 more miles. And a healthier, stronger, rock-harder, booty for the wedding!

{thankful} For My Motorcycle Man

Motorcycles (and other fast moving objects) are sort of Seth's speciality, I've known this since day one. The day after our first date Seth took me to his work (a motorcycle shop) and made me try on helmets...oh how far we've come.

Over the years, I have had fears about Seth getting hurt on his motorcycle.  This isn't because he is a bad rider, but because drivers are dumb...especially in California. The likelihood of distracted drivers not seeing him is high...and I worry. 

Matthew 6:34  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

I worry too much, but that is a post for another day. 

When Seth told me last week that he was going to a track day, I wasn't worried. It's actually safer for him to ride on a track than on the streets...but for some reason the fear crept in on Sunday night. 

The only conclusion that I can come to about my worrying is that I love Seth more than ever, and with our wedding getting close, I can't even begin to imagine my life without him -- so anything dangerous I'm naturally hesitant about!

It doesn't help either that I've been plagued with nightmares lately. Ever since I watched "Paranormal Activity 3" a few weeks ago I've had trouble sleeping, and major trouble with scary dreams.

I had a terrible nightmare on Sunday night that Seth died on the track. I woke up in a complete panic, and hardly slept the rest of the night. Monday morning rolls around, and I know that Seth left early for the track so I texted him as soon as I could and told him about the dream. 

He LOL'ed at me, and reassured me that he was indeed not dead. My plea every time he leaves is "don't die"...so I'm glad he caught on and told me that first thing. His next genious idea to get rid of my anxiousness about him riding was to invite me to the track for a couple hours...

So I went. 

I got off of work a little early to head to the track, which is a little over an hour away. I don't mind the drive when you get views like this...

When I pulled up and rolled down my window you could instantly hear the high pitched scream of the motorcycles...but I was actually pretty excited! (I had pumped myself up on the drive up)  The lady in the ticket booth told me to get my cheerleading outfit on, and to be honest I was more worried about his life than looking cute for my man...but maybe next time, babe. 

Seth happened to be on the track when I arrived, so I quickly ran out to the stands to see if I could identify him. You see, Seth's bike is easy to recognize.  It is named "Ronald Mcdonald" because of its bright yellow, red, and silver parts.  When I saw him whiz by me I almost cried, which is really embarrassing to admit, I must say.

He is second in from the left

I was giddy when I finally found him, sans bike. We got to watch the other groups race around the track for a while before he went back on the track.

The track is gorgeous -- set in the North Bay hills overlooking rolling mountains and wineries.  I wish I brought my camera up to my lookout spot!  After we watched the super fast group, I stayed for one more session of Seth's group, he and his friends were all in the same group and it was pretty neat to see them all out there together.  

Overall, I'm super glad that I went, even if it was only for a short while! I don't feel so scared about him going to track days, and I would love to go back again.  

The best part? 

I haven't had any nightmares since...and I am SO thankful for that.

But he is going dirt-biking today so I'll let you know what happens. 

xox

Wednesdays Comic Relief

That's some good parenting right there.