Christmas 2012

It is so nice to have things at a slower pace!  We are enjoying sleeping in, snuggling, a lot of games and eating some delicious food.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! 

Still need a last minute gift?

Need a last minute gift? 

We have a few pieces that are  Ready to Ship, these items are available in limited quantities and once they are gone they will be made to order and will have a lead time of 1.5 to 2 weeks to create.  (In the listing please see all details and lead times to ensure that you are purchasing a Ready to ship item)

Click HERE to view all Ready to Ship items. 

Happy Holidays!

Yuletide Layer Bars

Yuletide bars are not only yummy but very festive..... and really easy to make!

Ingredients

1/2 Cup Butter

1 1/2 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 1/2 cups Flaked Cconut

1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts and used my pampered chef chopper to chop them really small)

1 can 14 oz. Nestle Carnation Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 2/3 cups Nestle Toll House Holiday Morsels

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Melt butter in 13x 9 inch baking pan, I melted it in the microwave.  Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter.  Stir well; carefully press onto bottom of pan.  Sprinkle with coconut and nuts.  Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over top.  Sprinkle with morsels; press down lightly.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown.  Cool completely  in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars.  You can find more recipes at verybestbaking.com

The Original Christmas Classics

One thing I know for sure is that every year our family looks forward to seeing our favorite Christmas classics on TV.  The problem is we often miss them on TV.  I love that some of our favorites are available on DVD.  The Original Christmas Classics includes Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty Returns and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.  My son's favorite is Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and my favorite is Frosty the Snowman.  I have always been a fan of Frosty, how can you not be? This DVD pack is sure to please the entire family and is great for family movie night. 

The Original Christmas Classics also makes the perfect Christmas gift for any age, young or old!  You can find them at Amazon, Target, Walmart, and many other retailers.  Be sure to visit Christmasclassics.tv and explore their website and become a Facebook fan.  So get your Christmas cheer on and grab yourself some Christmas classics.

Peppermint Mocha... Who needs Starbucks?

I picked up the International Delight Peppermint Mocha creamer the other day; and ever since we have been making our own Peppermint Hot Chocolates and coffee.  I use to have a slight addiction to Starbucks Peppermint Mochas but am so glad to find this cream, it is saving me a lot of money.  If you like peppermint you need to try it! 

Cyber Monday Discount

 

Happy Cyber Monday!  Enjoy 20% off today only!  

Enter Code:  TAKE20 

Start Shopping 

***offer good today only and not valid on prior purchases or ala carte items 

Happy 7th Birthday Will

 

I can hardly believe my sweet boy is 7!  Happy Birthday Will, you have blessed us all in so many ways and continue to everyday!

 

I refuse to sink.....

 

When I design new items I always think about the message I want to convey.  I think the I refuse to sink piece sends a powerful message, it reminds me to stay anchored.  You can find the I refuse to sink necklace HERE.    

Product detail: 

The I Refuse To Sink necklace is a 7/8th inch sterling silver round disc that has been stamped around the outer edge of the disc. The piece has a sterling silver anchor charm attached to the disc the charms hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain. {This piece can also be personalized with up to 16 letters, spaces count. Suggestions: Navy Wife, Navy Mom. Please leave your personalization at checkout.

You can visit my shop and view my entire collection by clicking on the below image. 

Happy Halloween from Spiderman and Harry Potter

Happy Halloween from Spiderman and Harry Potter! 

 Be Safe! 

Lego Kid Fest Michigan

Over the weekend we went to Lego Kid Fest.  I don't think I have ever seen so much Lego in one place.  It was a really fun event that offered a lot of building.  I have figured out that you could just give a kid a bucket of random Lego and they can have hours of creative fun building.  You can see if Lego Fest is coming to your town.  HERE.  make sure you purchase your tickets in advance this events sells out quick. 

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Go ahead and Bloom where you are planted!  No matter where you are or what your circumstances may be Bloom where you are planted.

The Bloom where you are planted necklace has a 7/8th inch sterling silver round disc that also includes a beautiful sterling silver flower charm, both charms hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball charm. All components are sterling silver.  You can find the necklace HERE.

Lego Club

 

Will has a passion for Lego and when he said he wished his school had a Lego Club I thought the idea was far fetched.  I thought about it for a bit and thought this isn't a crazy idea, it is an amazing idea. I partnered with another Mom and now guess what our school has a Lego Club!  I will share more on how to set up a Lego Club at your school as we stumble along the way. 

Hand Stamped Jewelry Bloom Where You Are Planted

New in the Shop!  The Bloom Where You Are Planted Necklace. 

No matter where you are or what your circumstances may be Bloom where you are planted! 

The Bloom where you are planted necklace has a 7/8th inch sterling silver round disc that also includes a beautiful sterling silver flower charm, both charms hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball charm. All components are sterling silver.

You can find my entire collection of Hand Stamped Jewelry by visiting Kristen's Custom Creations.  

Hello Monday Family pictures...

It isn't often that we can get a picture of the three of this, but we needed a nice group shot of the family for Will's school. Above is our final shot and the other picture is Will just being Will.   Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Same Boy Same Chair

Will June 2006

Will August 2009

Will June 2010

Will August 2011 

 Will August 2012

Same chair just a big boy now! I can't believe Will is in First Grade.  There is such a huge change from Kindergarten to First Grade.  Will told me First grade isn't as fun that it is all work and no play!  I hope everyone is having a great start to a new school year. 

First Day Of School

It is the start of a new school year and I can hardly believe that Will is a First Grader!  Wishing all friends a fabulous new school year! 

Savoring those last few days of summer

We have been trying to savor those last few days of summer.  Summer always goes by way too fast, I wish winter did the same.  We are back to school next week and looking forward to a great year. 

New in the shop Let you light shine..

When I wear the let your light shine necklace,  it makes me feel powerful and is a reminder to shine!

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Let Your Light Shine necklace is a 3/4 inch sterling silver round disc that has been hand stamped in lowercase font. The piece also includes an adorable sterling silver sun charm and both charms hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain. All components are sterling silver.

You can find the let your light shine necklace HERE. 

Swim Lessons, Swim Lessons, and more Swim Lessons

Will took 8 weeks of swim lessons this summer and by the last day he was jumping off of the high dive doing canon balls .  His swim teacher said he is fearless.  I don't think I have ever even jumped off a diving board this big. 

Grand Haven Michigan 2012

We just got back from our second trip to Grand Haven,  we had a great time.  There is so much to do in Grand Haven from spending the day at the beach, shopping, biking, walking out to the pie, r taking a ride on the Trolley and so much more.  This is one of our favorite spots and although it was a very busy trip it was a lot of fun.  I didn't realize that Michigan supplies 1/3 of the blueberries for our nation.  There is an adorable shop called Blueberry Haven  their chocolate covered blueberries are delicious.  If you happen to be in Western Michigan be sure to stop by and spend the day in Grand Haven you won't be disappointed. 

New Forget Me Not Necklace

Something new in the shop.  The Forget Me Not necklace.  I have had many customers request this piece with a forget me not flower so I am pleased to offer it.

 The Forget Me Not necklace is a 5/8th inch sterling silver round disc that has been hand stamped in lowercase font and also includes an adorable sterling silver forget me not flower charm both charms hang on a 18 inch sterling silver bead ball chain. Wouldn't this make a special gift for someone?

You can always view my entire collection by clicking on the below image.

Juicy Juice Fruit For All Project {Giveaway}

The Fruit for All Project

What: Juicy Juice, Feeding America and celebrity mom and anti-hunger advocate Samantha Harris are joining forces to put up to 35 million pieces of fruit in the hands of children and families in need.

Why: The Truth About Child Hunger

• Over 16 million American children (more than 1 in 5) are food insecure, meaning they live at risk of hunger.  Check out this Interactive Hunger Map and click on your state to see county-by-county statistics.
• For food insecure children who rely on free or reduced-price lunches, the summer presents an even greater risk. In fact, 18.7 million children are at risk during the summer months.
• America’s battle against hunger is not about having enough food; in fact, 20 billion pounds of food go to waste each year.

How: Between June 1 and August 31, a piece of fruit will be provided to hungry kids and their families each time Juicy Juice is purchased. Kids and their parents can also get involved by logging on to Juicy Juice’s Facebook page or FruitForAllProject.com to complete challenges like games, quizzes and puzzles to earn even more fruit donations for those in need.

Would you like to be a  part of the Fruit For All Project?  Juicy Juice is offering a special giveaway opportunity for my blog. 

• One donation of 400 meals to my local food bank; and another donation of 400 meals to a nearby food bank of one of my readers. 

One winner will be selected. Please leave a comment by August 12th, 2012 with contact information. A Juicy Juice contact will arrange for your local food bank to receive this generous donation. 

Disclosure:  I did not receive any compensation for posting regarding the Juicy Juice Fruit Project but my local food bank will receive a donation of fruit sponsored by Juicy Juice. 

Hand Stamped Jewelry Just For Him We Love You To The Moon And Back

New in the shop the We Love You To The Moon And Back Necklace just for him. 


Product details:
The I Love You To The Moon And Back necklace just for him or have it stamped We Love You To The Moon And Back. The I Love You To The Moon And Back necklace has a 3/4 inch sterling silver round disc/tag with the phrase I Love You To The Moon And Back hand stamped or We Love You To The Moon And Back, the piece also includes a sterling silver rectangle tag that measures 1 inch long by 1/2 inch wide, the personalized name tag can fit two lines of text with up to 9 uppercase block letters. Both charms hang on a 30 inch stainless steel ball chain.  You can find it HERE.

Random Pics Via Instagram

Lego, Swimming and boating just about sums up Will's summer so far.  I am pretty sure this is what summer should be all about!