Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY – Giveaways!

We have been super busy here at Pocket Full of Posies, and have lots of fun stuff planned this summer.  Currently, we have TWO giveaways going on!  So, if you’re feeling lucky, check them out! 

Our first giveaway is from Jen at Tater Tots and Jello…Monthly Pocket Package 1.

Our second giveaway is from Steph (behind Somewhat Simple) on her newest addition, Crazy Domestic…Monthly Pocket Package 1.  (this new site totally ROCKS! check it out!)

If you check out these giveaways you may also find a discount code to use on your next purchase…just a thought!

Happy Wednesday!

-Emily 

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

TASTY TUESDAY – Furnkies?

So, I was blog hopping yesterday and this crazy word caught my eye…Furnkies.  It was a “related link” to something else I was looking at and I just had to check it out! And I must say, I was NOT disappointed!  How good do these look?

furn

I have no idea where these chocolatey, peanut buttery delicious-ness get their name, but I cannot wait to try them!  All of my favorite things on one cookie sheet!  I’m so glad I stumbled upon this recipe at a fun looking blog, Sugar Bee!  My taste buds will be so happy!

-Emily

Monday, June 28, 2010

MANIC MONDAY – Exhausted

Cammie and I chaperoned a big Youth Conference for our church this weekend…2 days and 2 nights!  It was a blast, and the youth all had a great experience, but we are STILL recovering!  So, I am exhausted and don’t have much else to say on this manic Monday!  Here’s a little taste of what we experienced this wonderful weekend…

IMG_5524 blurred faces

Enough said!

-Emily

Thursday, June 24, 2010

TEACH ME THURSDAY – Bubbles!!!

IMG_6632 IMG_6624

My Ali L-O-V-E-S bubbles!!  And her cousin Stevie loves them too.  The only problem is they end up spilling and going through them quicker than Emily and I can buy them!  So when I found this tutorial on how to make your own bubbles I was thrilled!  Brown Paper Packages is such a cute blog…go check out how to make your kids some homemade bubbles!

bubbles 4 copy

- Cammie

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

WHAT’S UP Wednesday – Our upcoming VACATION!

Finished Group

(Cousin pictures in red, white, and blue…2009)

I LOVE the 4th of July!  In my home town Taylor, AZ there are all kinds of great things going on…a rodeo, the firing of the Anvil, the patriotic program, the parade, the craft shows, the country dances, the fireworks, the Navaho taco dinners…I love it all!  So when I moved to Missouri I sorta expected the 4th of July to be the same, BUT to my surprise our town only does a dinky firework show, nothing else.  The thing they make a big deal out of is our FAIR!  Yes you read that right, a fair!  They even do fireworks during the fair…seems a bit crazy to me, but everyone loves it!  So this year Ben and I decided to go to AZ for the 4th of July!  I am SO excited!  I get to enjoy the festivities, be with my family, and be reminded of the freedom I have!  We are however driving…and YES it is a very long drive!  And yes I know we will be stopping a lot because I am preggers and will have to use the little girls room often!  Wish us luck!

- Cammie

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

TASTY TUESDAY – A different version of Puppy Chow

IMG_0600p

Everyone know what puppy chow is, only you may have a different name for it.  So when I was checking out one of my favorite food blogs Picky Palate yesterday I saw that she posted a puppy chow, only it was done with white chocolate!  I love white chocolate so this looks amazing to me!!  Go check out Picky Palates White Chocolate PB & Chocolate Muddy Mix.  I think it will be the next treat I make!

- Cammie

Monday, June 21, 2010

MANIC MONDAY – Already Nesting

pregnant_belly

I am 26 weeks (6 1/2 months) along in my pregnancy and I am ALREADY in the nesting phase!!  I can’t remember if this is normal or not, but I’m already going clean crazy!  Not only that but I want EVERYTHING organized!  I mean everything!!!  I want to go through the kids rooms, the office, our master bedroom, bathrooms, the basement, even our garage.  All these rooms are in need of major organizing (at least that is what my pregnancy brain is saying)!  I also need to make room for baby #4, which means a lot of re-arranging!  I need to fit both my office and a baby in the same room…this is going to be tricky…any tips?  Then to make this phase even more crazy, I am up at night thinking about all the stuff I need to buy or do…I need to get clothes washed and ready, diapers purchased, meals put in the freezer, the list goes on and on!  I feel like my brain is spinning!!  So wish me luck…I am going to let my nesting go to work today!! 

- Cammie

Friday, June 18, 2010

FREEBIE FRIDAY – Father’s Day Gift

IMG_6747edit

So I think most of you know Em and I LOVE the blog Eighteen25!  These girls are so cute and have GREAT ideas.  Well I saw there Tokens for dad idea and loved it.  I tried finding the tin but couldn’t so I ended up with a wooden round box, about the same size.  Then I thought I would make some of my own tokens…but then I realized that they made them AND shared them with us…I must have missed that when I first read it.  SO head over to Eighteen25 to print FREE token…they are really darling!! 

- Cammie

Thursday, June 17, 2010

TEACH ME THURSDAY – Marshmallow Guns

I have always thought marshmallow guns were the coolest idea, but never had a reason to make them.  Until I was watching Cammie’s kids and needed something fun for everyone to do!  And, since we are now pros with PVC pipe, it was a piece-o-cake!  I found a great tutorial on Skip to My Lou’s 30 days of crafts.  It’s originally from Make It Do

Anyway, the tutorial is perfect, so check it out if you want to make some of these…

making guns Here are the kids putting the guns together.
finished guns And the finished product!  They were all super excited that they each got their OWN bag of marshmallows!
IMG_5107 Jer trying out his new gun…loved it!
IMG_5109 Steve tool a little while to figure it out…his marshmallows got a little wet and sticky!
IMG_5111 Ali loved it too!
IMG_5114 Briggs and Jer had competitions to see who could shoot the farthest…can you see the marshmallow in flight?  I’m pretty sure Briggs won this one!

We even made a target to practice aim…I just forgot to take a picture!  We had so much fun, and the grass was covered with marshmallows!  Luckily it rained that night and melted them all away!

-Emily

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY – My New Camera

I finally did it.  I finally bought the camera I’ve been eyeing for more than 6 months!  We all know I’ve needed a new camera for even longer than that…but I all of the sudden got expensive taste and just couldn’t bring myself to do it.  But I finally got it…the Nikon D3000…

…and then I took it back!  I had all these high hopes that this was going to be THE camera!  And it didn’t hurt that it came with a bunch of extra stuff.  But it was so not THE camera!  When you spend that kind of moola, it’s gotta be right.  So I took it back and got this baby:

canon-eos-rebel-xsi-dslr

Canon-EOS-400D-Digital-Rebel-XTi-Top

The Canon EOS Rebel XS.  Ahhh, I am in love!  I seriously LOVE this camera!  Both cameras are SLR cameras, and very similar in many ways….but for some reason, the Canon is more me.  So…wanna see what I’ve done with it so far?  I admit that I thought I knew WAY more than I actually do, and, in fact, know practically nothing about photography, but I can’t wait to learn.  Meanwhile, here’s the first photo shoot I did…

brothersCammie and I decided (way too late in the day) to test the new camera.  My kids needed naps…don’t they look excited!  Right after this picture, Steve pushed Dan forward and he face planted on the concrete.  He was sad in most of the rest of the pictures!
buddies
Best buddies…and SO cute!
cousins
  Cousins!  We love taking cute cousin pictures!  Can you see how distressed Dan is!  Poor kid…he has the meanest mom!cousins on train2For some reason Dan was fine at a different spot!
cousins on train3
Dang these kids are CUTE!

That is what’s up on my Wednesday! 

-Emily

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

TASTY TUESDAY – Hot Fudge yumminess

Here’s a quick and easy and very yummy dessert that I  just LOVE!  It goes great on ice cream and even better with ice cream and brownies!  Here’s my favorite recipe for hot fudge sauce:

Hot Fudge Sauce

1 (12 oz. can) evaporated milk
2 C. chocolate chips
1/2 C. sugar
1 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Heat milk, chocolate chips and sugar to boiling in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat.  Stir in butter and vanilla until mixture is smooth and creamy.  Cool about 3o minutes or until sauce begins to thicken.  Serve warm, refrigerate leftovers.

Enjoy this yummy little treat!

-Emily

Monday, June 14, 2010

MANIC MONDAY – My New Laundry Room

What a crazy weekend we had!  My house has still not recovered!  Let me tell you why…

A week or so ago, I found this:

laundryroom 041[7]

on a wonderful blog called Show & Tell.  I immediately saved it to my “project ideas” folder and waited to show the hubby.  This is exactly what I have always wanted/needed for our laundry room.  So, this weekend was the weekend and I now have one of these!  and I L-O-V-E it!  Wanna see?

IMG_5147

My hubby and his brother (Cammie’s hubby) started this bad boy, and then I helped the hubby finish it and I painted it.  I couldn’t watch as he and 2 other guys moved it into the laundry room and moved the washer and dryer on top.  I really don’t like to watch heavy things being moved!  The only problem is that I am STILL trying to organize everything that was in there before.  Most of it has found a new home, but a lot of it is still waiting on my living room floor!  This is why my house is still recovering!  Why is it that when you re-do something or decided to do a major reorganize things get SO bad before they get even close to better?  Totally worth it though in the end!

IMG_5150  So my laundry room is in a very weird place (which is why I’ve wanted something to make it look more finished, like this).  It sits right off my kitchen and the pantry is in the same room.  It’s really a love hate relationship!  I love that I don’t have to go very far to do laundry (like up and down stairs or anything), but I hate that it’s right there!  Of course now I love everything about it!  And I love my husband for granting my every wish!  Happy Monday!

-Emily

Thursday, June 10, 2010

TEACH ME THURSDAY – Strawberry Freezer Jam

IMG_6812 Emily and I have a lot in common, one of them is our complete OBSESSION with strawberry freezer jam!!  I’m not exaggerating when I say obsession…we really are crazy about it.  For the past 3 years that we’ve lived near each other we have gotten together to make our freezer jam and we always try to make enough to last us for the year…BUT for the past 2 years we have FAILED!!!  Around January/February our jam is GONE!  It is pure torture waiting until strawberry season in May/June before we get to eat and enjoy our amazing strawberry jam again!  So this year we decided we would get it right!!!  We each bought 10 lbs. of strawberries, 9 fruit pectin, and 20 lbs. of sugar!  As we started making it we wondered if it was going to be enough, but after filling up every container we had and STILL having 4 batches left to make we laughed at ourselves because we knew we had plenty.  I alone ended up making 20 - 20oz containers!!  Em and I figured we usually made 8 – 20oz containers…SO I believe we will end up having jam ALL YEAR LONG PLUS some!!

Here is the recipe we use for Strawberry Freezer Jam:

  • 2 C. crushed fresh strawberries
  • 4 C. sugar
  • 1 (1.75 ounce) package dry pectin (we used SURE JELL) 
  • Directions:

    IMG_6801

    1.  Make sure to wash and dry your freezer containers

    IMG_6797

    2.  Wash and cut your strawberries

    IMG_6803

    3. Blend your strawberries in a blender

    IMG_6806

    4.  Mix blended strawberries and sugar and let stand for 10 minutes.  Make sure to measure EXACTLY!

    IMG_6799 IMG_6805

    5.  Meanwhile, follow directions on sure jell box, and boil over med-high heat for one minute.

    IMG_6808 

    6.  Stir the boiling water/pectin mixture into the strawberries and sugar mixture.  Mix well and allow to stand for 3 minutes.

    IMG_6810

    7.  Pour mixture into freezer containers, place lids on, and leave out for 24 hours.  Place into freezer for up to a year.

    If you want to make 20 – 20 oz containers like I did, here is what you need:

    • 10 lbs. Strawberries
    • 9 fruit pectin (Sure Jell)
    • 20 lbs. sugar

    ***We also figured out the cost of each 20 oz container, $1.50.  Not bad for something SO yummy! 

    Some of our favorite ways to use our Strawberry Freezer Jam:

    • Peanut Butter and Jam of course!
    • Topping for pancakes, a must!
    • Add a spoonful to some vanilla ice cream…so yummy!
    • Toast!  Nothing else compares!

    Now go get some strawberries and a good friend and make some!  Then don’t forget you can print some cute labels for your containers!

    - Cammie

    Wednesday, June 9, 2010

    WHAT’S UP WEDNESDAY – June Freebie Ends Today!!!

    bonus Today is the last day to redeem our BONUS FREEBIE RECIPE PACK with any purchase!!!  It is 2 whole weeks of recipes that we don’t even currently sell!  This offer ends tonight, Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.  Enter “JuneFreebie” in the instructions box at checkout.  Oh and don’t forget to tell all your friends! 

    - Cammie

    Tuesday, June 8, 2010

    Technical Issue!

    So Emily and I use Windows Live Writer to do all our posting and we had a problem with it on Sunday and Monday! It wouldn't let us post! But today I tried it and it worked great!! It must have been an error with the program. Enjoy our late Manic Monday post!

    - Thanks Cammie

    MANIC MONDAY – Organize your kitchen

    toxmystery_kitchen

    I am a little late when it comes to spring cleaning…I’m going to blame it on the pregnancy!  I am finally feeling that need to get some major cleaning done, plus I have more energy to do it.  Last Saturday while my husband was helping his parents with some yard work, the kids and I cleaned and reorganized the kitchen.  It took us a good 4 hours, but SO well worth it!  I am so happy with the results and now I’m just hoping it stays this way for awhile!  Here are some tips on how I got my kitchen cleaned and organized just right:

    1. Start with one drawer or cupboard.  I had my kids empty the drawer or cupboard, then I used a disinfectant and wiped it down, inside and out.

    2.  Then I decided if I wanted to put it back in the same drawer or cupboard or if I thought it would be better some place else.  I left things pretty much the same…but there were several items that I moved!

    3.  Next, get rid of things you don’t use!  I got rid of things I hadn’t used in the last year (surprisingly there were a few things).

    4.  Now put things back in a more organized way!  I used some baskets for some of my smaller items in my drawers which keeps everything in their place.  Also the way you stack things helps make a cupboard look better and it’s easier to find what your looking for.

    5.  Finally, give your entire family a tour of your new kitchen!  I remember my mom doing this with us every time she re-organized a room.  It really helps keep things in their new place!

    - Good luck, Cammie

    Technical Issue!

    So Emily and I use Live Writer to do all our posting and we are now having problems with it! It won't let us post! We our looking into it and hoping to find a solution, because posting from blogger takes WAY too long. If anyone has any tips or know how to help our error is

    Friday, June 4, 2010

    FREEBIE FRIDAY – Freezer Jam Tag

    Cammie and I have discovered that we have a serious obsession: strawberry freezer jam.  Every summer we get together and try to make what we think will be enough to last until the next summer.  We’ve never actually been able to make enough, we usually run out a few months before (and suffer serious withdrawals!).  But this year, we’re pretty sure we made enough for both of us for more than a year!  But, more to come on that next week…this week I have a cute little tag to add to your strawberry freezer jam if you want to give any away.  Happy summer!

    strawberry tag1

    Click HERE to download 3 on a page to print.

    -Emily

    Thursday, June 3, 2010

    TEACH ME THURSDAY –PVC Pipe Playhouse

    Ok, I cannot even tell you how excited I am about this tutorial!  Back in April (can you believe April was so long ago?!), Cammie and I kicked butt and made the most amazing PVC pipe playhouses EVER!  I know what you’re thinking, big deal!  PVC pipe playhouses are all over the web.  True, but I can all but guarantee you that you won’t find a decent tutorial out there!  Lots of super cute pictures, but no solid tut!  Trust me, we searched!  We even thought we found the perfect one…WRONG!  So, this tutorial represents A LOT of brain work from us!  But it’s totally worth it, because the 2 playhouses we built totally ROCK!  And since we’ve done all the thinking, all you will have to do is the cutting, building and sewing!

    Here’s the one for my kiddos (and for this tutorial):

    emsplayhouse

    Materials:
    6 10-ft. (1/2-in. thick) PVC pipes
    These PVC fittings:
    joints amounts(*NOTE* the three way elbow and the adaptor screw together to act as one fitting.)
    1 pair of PVC pipe cutters ($10-$15)

    PVC-Pipe-Cutter
    3 twin sized sheets, or equal yardage in fabric
    Anything used for embellishing (scrap fabric, ribbon, buttons, etc.)

    Directions:
    1.  Screw together all three-way elbows and adapters.

    2.  Cut pipe to following lengths:

    (10) 40 1/4-in
    (4) 25 1/2-in
    (2) 33 3/4-in
    (1) 31 3/4-in
    cut pipe

    3.  From the left over pipe, cut 8 pieces about 3-in long.  These will be used as joiners.
    connector

    4.  Build the base of the house using 4 of the 40 1/4-in cut pipe and 4 of the three-way elbows.
    base base joint
    5.  Add 4 more of the 40 1/4-in cut pipe for the sides—in each of the corners—standing straight up.

    6.  Attach a three-way elbow to each of the upright pipes.  To each of the elbows attach a joiner, a tee, a joiner, and a 45 degree elbow like in the picture (sorry, it’s a bit blurry):
    roof

    7.  Add the remaining 40 1/4-in cut pipe and the 33 3/4-in cut pipe to finish the top, like this:
    box Make sure the 45 degree elbows face each other.

    8.  To form the roof, add each of the 25 1/2-in cut pipe to the 45 degree elbows.  Attach a three-way elbow to the ends to secure:
    roof angles (ignore the basketball hoop in the background!  I was setting this up in my son’s room!)

    9.  To complete the roof, add the 31 3/4-in cut pipe between the three-way elbows:
    bones

    10.  Now, at this point, it may be worth while to number everything so that you can set it all back up again once you take it down.  Do a number match—every piece connects to another piece so the numbers should all match, like this:
    base joint

    11.  Now comes the creative part!  Using the sheets, or fabric, drape and pin (wrong side facing out) the base of the house first.  Sew where you’ve pinned.  Decide where you want the windows and door, and mark and cut.  This part is totally up to you, and figuring out what you want/like.  I have no idea how to translate what we did into coherent instructions!  It’s a lot of draping and pinning and sewing, over and over!  But, the trick is to complete the base first, then attach the roof last.  This way there’s less fabric to work with on your sewing machine.  Good luck!!  If you have any questions, leave a comment or email!

    emsplayhouse

    inside
    When completely built, the playhouse is about 64-inches tall (just over 5 ft!) and 42-inches (3 1/2 ft.) square.  It’s the perfect size!  My little guy here is 2 1/2 years old.  He easily fits with all his friends and/or cousins!  They LOVE it!

    And, just for fun, Cammie made a slightly bigger house…here’s what hers looks like:cammiesplayhouse

    Well, that’s the tutorial.  I hope it all makes sense!  I was able to come out of this project spending under $50!  (cheaper if you don’t have to buy the cutters)  And this playhouse will last forever, as will the memories!

    -Emily


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