Student Teaching...A Dream Come True!!

I can't believe it's here... Student Teaching. I feel like this has been an exciting thing lingering in the future that I would never reach. Now, I have to tell y'all it was a scary leap. I had to quit my job in order to do this and being in charge of 24 first graders is scary! But, I couldn't have imagined anything more amazing. I have the greatest mentor teacher and after two weeks, it feels like we've been working together for years. The students are a blast and I am slowly taking over the class. I promise not to turn this blog into a blog just about how amazing my students are and forget to post about cooking, running, and life. But I hope yall enjoy some additions to the blog. First grade is a whole new world for me. Watching their eyes get excited as you read them a new story and listening to them come up with the most creative things...its amazing. I swear, if you are ever having one of those why me days, spend a day with a first grader. They show you a whole new look on the world again. I am also trying to take pleasure in the little things in teaching, things that I know someday will seem boring and a hastle: putting together my first book order (which I check several times a day to see what the kids are picking) and grading papers with my smiley faces, stars, and stickers. I hope to be able to look back at these moments and treasure them. Teaching is not the easiest job out there, nor the best paying job. I know I will get frustrated. I will take those gloomy moments and remember what I wrote the first few weeks of teaching. Ok, enough of my rambling... I wanted to share a few pictures from our first few weeks together.

Arizona turned 100 years old on Valentines Day and we all sang happy birthday!

Sneaky E Project to help them remember that sneaky silent e!!! Of course found on Pinterest.

My First Valentines!!! I even got a precious bracelet from one of my sweeties!

Sweetest hand prints for their families...thanks pinterest!

My first project with the kiddos...their valentines bears! Love the names they named them: Pinkalicious and Blueberry Bear were among the group

Hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday!!! I'll be posting a weekly menu this week!!!

A Run, A Craft, and Some Wheat Grass

this weekend was pretty jam-packed with fun. we ran THE COLOR RUN on saturday. sunday i got to spend a girls day with my bestie samantha where we dyed my hair and made cute shirts! this weekend our wheat grass finally came it which was pretty cool. takes forever but its worth it. we will see how we are feeling after taking it a few months!

(wheat grass and the machine)

(dyed my hair all by myself...well with sam's help of course!)

(our cool shirts still drying...here's the link to the how-to)

(The Color Run)

during

before

hope everyone else had an amazing weekend!!!

~kristen~

{EAT}

Today I have been working around the house cleaning and doing some schoolwork and I just needed a crafting break. Its been one of those weeks....still getting over food poisoning and just not at my norm...so I decided to flip aimlessly through all the craft ideas I have saved from sites and I combined several ideas into my very own idea.... :) So, here's an easy way to revamp an old frame in 5 minutes using stuff in the craftroom..or drawer, whichever may be the case ;)

What you will need:

one old frame--4x6

scraps of vinyl---lime green leftover

scrap of scrapbook paper--black damask paper

Instructions:

1. Cut scrapbook paper to fit frame

2. Cut out words on cricut or silhouette machine....I used Schoolbook font on my cricut at 2 1/2". Your letter will vary on size depending on the size of your frame.

3. Place paper in frame and align the vinyl on top of the glass. I used transfer paper to do this, but masking tape would work as well. This gives it a somewhat 3D feel.

Now....I just need to decide where I want to hang it!!

I may make one that says {LOVE} with red vinyl later!!!

Enjoy~ Kristen

How to Decorate for a Party

I just love getting to decorate for a party!!! There are so many great ideas and they really aren't too hard to do yourself. So, today I want to share a few different ideas and sites to help make your own party something everyone remembers! I'm currently brainstorming for Thomas' 25th Birthday next month!!!!

{1}

Take a white platter and place a piece of scrapbook paper (that matches your theme) on top. Place your desired food on top of that. It makes your appetizers or desserts just POP with pizzaz.

Check out Anders Ruff to see this idea and Many MANY more. They have amazing ideas and tons of printables you can get from their ETSY shop.

{2}

Make your own paper garland using circles of scrap paper in your color scheme and a sewing machine. I haven't made one yet but it's on my to do list. Here's a link to the how-to for making your own paper garland.

{3}

Make a homemade cake stand or dessert stand by using a plate and a candlestick. Just use superglue to glue the plate on top of the candlestick and presto a custom stand. This is also a great gift idea during the holidays or for a special birthday. Make the stand and fill it with goodies, wrap in saran wrap and tie with a bow.

{4}

Make cupcake toppers using a scallop punch and stickers. All you need is to cut out a scallop circle, add a sticker, and hot glue to a toothpick!!!

{5}

Customize water bottles or wine bottles by wrapping scrapbook paper around and adding a sticker or logo onto it. Then line them up in rows to look extra glam.

What are some ideas yall have???

Happy Party Planning~Kristen

Bows, Bows, Bows!!!!

I have officially added a new line to my ETSY shop!!! Lovely beautiful bows for a little princess! I'm pretty excited about them and they are so fun to come up with!!!! Hope yall enjoy!!!

What do you think?

~Kristen~

What I'm loving this weekend!!!

1. I am in LOVE with headbands. Not just any headbands....homemade wonders. There are so many posts out there and I found two this week that I attempted this weekend and LOVE THEM!!! So the first one is made from fabric and elastic and is super easy, I may be adding them to my etsy shop...we will see. The second is my absolute fav and I want to share the tutorial with everyone because anyone can make these. I can only sew with straight lines and this was by far the easiest thing I've made: upcycled tshirt headband...all you need is an old tshirt, thread, and a hot glue gun...tutorial here....i didn't hand sew my flower on because hotglueing it was WAY easier and no one cal tell the difference.

2. I am LOVING cooking and baking!!! I made a buffalo chicken pasta last night and a candy

bar cake this morning...yes i know you ask cake this morning?!? why yes i did. I didn't try it

until the afternoon so its ok. Both were MAJOR hits with Thomas. He usually doesn't go for

desserts, let alone seconds!!! Well, it was good. Thats the important part. The pasta i decided to

double so I could freeze one meal, great idea in theory, but for my kitchen it was kindof a

danger zone for a few hours. :)

3. March Madness, which is the one time of year I truly lose my husband to his first love :). Its fun to hear him watching the game. I'll be across the house and hear yelling about something or this very specific "laugh" or "kackle" he makes when he gets excited about a play. Its HILARIOUS and just one of the gazillion reasons I love him. Hopefully next year we'll be cheering on our beloved Baylor BEARS again. :)

Well, I hope everyone else is finding fun things to do and is having some good laughs this weekend! We love yall~ Kristen and Thomas

Scarfs are the GREATEST!!!

So, I fell in love with a scarf at my yoga studio....grey and gorgeous.... I had to have it, until I looked at the price tag. $65. For a piece of grey fabric with a charm on it. I'm sitting there in shock at the insane price and I think....well I could make that...or at least attempt to make it. I went to the store and bought some fabric and whipped it up...took 5 minutes about about $1.50 plus an old charm from a forever 21 necklace. It's not as cute but I think its still pretty cute, especially when I compare the prices. Here it is

I like it.....And will wear it all the time!!!!

Have a great week!!!!!

~Kristen

My Etsy Shop

So, I'm not sure if I ever blogged about starting an etsy shop....so here goes!!!

I love to craft and I figure why not make some money with the hobby I love. The first items I decided to post were accessories: necklaces and headbands. Had a few purchases.....Now I've started doing paper goods: gift tags, party banners, and cupcake toppers. Its so fun to do and it gives me a creative outlet. Within the first day of posting my paper goods I got a bulk order for 4 dozen cupcake toppers! Let's just say I was THRILLED....and so was Thomas....(he only looks at the bottom line of course ...hehe)..... It's just for fun! Of course I'd love to make so good money doing it, but if it makes enough to support my crafting addiction, that would make me pretty darn happy!!!! I've been so blessed with very supportive friends and family, I just don't know what I'd do without yall. Here's a few pics of my new stuff!!!

If you want to check out my etsy shop click here: Cupcakes and Dreams

Love Y'all~Kristen

A busy, busy weekend

We have officially started building the side table and coffee table that matches our original one we built!!! We are going to take our time with these two, probably taking a little time out of each weekend, but its so fun I don't care!!! We got all the plans from Ana White's website. Check her stuff out, its amazing!!!

Here's a pic of the side table, put together now just needs finished.

I am also working on a new "line" for my etsy shop (kristennw712). I am making gift tags and cupcake toppers. So far I only have a few made, but will be working on them over the next few weeks. I can wait!!

Here's a preview:

I also had a very productive food day: I made homemade snickers, chipotle chocolate chili, black bean and chorizo soup, and cranberry salsa. I'm tired. But at least I have dinner for a few nights!!!!

Well, looking forward to a three day week and a four day weekend!!!! I plan on getting some crafts done and working on my new stuff... Hope everyone has a blessed week!

A new year, a ton of things to do!

First off, I am so excited for the year. Not knowing what the future holds for us is very exciting!!! Thomas will be applying for his assignments for the air force, I will "hopefully" be getting a part time position at work so I can complete my teaching certificate!!! All is well in the Wright House!!! Another big task we have set for ourselves is to read the bible front to back this year. Thanks to our amazing church, we have a journal that walks us through each day and keeps us on track. This year I want to strengthen my walk with Christ. Pretty exciting stuff, if I say so myself.

With the new year, I'm also starting to organize my craft ideas and recipes I want to try out. I have a few empty spots in the house now that, sadly, the Christmas decor is all down. I'm going to start with some easy stuff. I'll post some links to my future projects for this month. I also want to try to make an adorable scarf!!!! I will have to make it more of a summery scarf....i'm sure the heat will be here soon enough. I am also revamping my recipes. We are trying to cut beef out of our diet. In doing this, we are using a lot more ground turkey and ground chicken for recipes as a sub for beef. Its going pretty well so far. And of course.....I wouldn't be happy without some yummy new desserts to cook up! Wait for pics to come!

New year~ better motivation. I'm going to stay on top of our blog~ posting food and craft pics and of course some of our family!!!

Here are some links of some craft ideas:

Burlap Valentines Project

Framed Heart Project

Heart Specimen Art Project

Antique Books Project

Here are some links of some new recipes:

Black-eyed pea and Chorizo Soup

Avalanche Bark

Chipotle Chocolate Chili

Hope yall enjoy and and are having a Happy New Year!!!

~Thomas and Kristen~

Productive Saturday

It's been a long productive day! Thomas went quail hunting this morning with friends and came home with rabbits instead....at least it gave us something to grill for the afternoon along with our yummy bbq ribs! Once they got back it was a normal fall satuday....COLLEGE FOOTBALL!!! This week 2 of our 3 teams won: Baylor and Virginia Tech great week, Texas maybe next time....

Anyways, so before everyone got to the house this afternoon I needed to run my errands, clean the house, and bake some dessert. So, started at target and found some super cute vases in "$1" section. They were $2.50 and I bought some fake berries to put in them for about $1.50...all together created cute home decor for under $5. Made my whole day!!!!

Next I made a stop at hobby lobby where I found some amazing new fabric for my tote bags! A girl can never have too many bags :)

Ok, after that I came home and finished my pumpkin spice brownies that I had started last night. EASY PEASY recipe. Heres the link to the recipe http://insidebrucrewlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/pumpkin-spice-brownie-bites.html

I also made my new favorite type of cupcake....chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes. YES. Now a few notes about these cupcakes...they are VERY sweet and they take a while to make, but 100% worth it!!!! Here's the link to the recipe http://thefarmgirlrecipes.blogspot.com/2010/09/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-cupcakes.html

and of course I took pics for you to see!!!!

I love saturdays where you get to do some fun stuff but also get to relax. We def enjoyed watching some great college football and even made a late night movie. I think its about time to rest up for tomorrow... CARRIE UNDERWOOD CONCERT YIPPEE!!! Thomas has already beaten me to sleep....I guess waking up at 4 this morning has finally caught up with him.

got my sewing machine :)

I am the PROUD owner of a sewing machine(thanks for the early christmas gift mommy)...doesn't mean i know really know how to use it...Thomas had to help me get it set up. Go figure the one time i don't read the instructions, he does :) Anyways, i have been working away with EASY PEASY starter projects to get my feet wet. Ultimate goal-QUILT!!!! So far i have made a few necklaces and two tote bags. Tomorrow I am attempting a hat made out of an old shirt!! So, for all you wishful sewers out there, i say take the plunge. If i can do it, anyone can. Plus there are some GREAT blogs that help along the way!!! I'll try to get pics of the hat I am making by tomorrow!!!