Easy Tomato Sandwich Dip!

Oh my, it isn't summer without big, juicy, red tomatoes - and in the summer, tomato sandwiches are one of my lunchtime go-to foods. I've eaten tomato sandwiches since I can remember (my uncle made them best, with TONS of black pepper :) but had never heard of or thought of making it into a dip.... enter my friend Elizabeth & this yummy { and simple! } recipe! I give you, 'Mater Sammich Dip... :)

Ingredients:
fresh tomatoes { diced }
little bit of mayonnaise { Dukes if you're a TRUE southerner }
salt { optional }
pepper { to taste }
Ritz crackers { for dipping }

Mix the first 4 ingredients & serve with the crackers - HeAvEnLy FRESH goodness <3 And SO easy! Great for summer snacking, picnics, or as an appetizer while you're cooking (my favorite!) Also, a great way to pack a tomato sandwich for lunch- without the soggy bread! You could also substitute maybe plain or greek yogurt for the mayo for a lighter version?

Try it, love it, pass it on <3

Kids' Photobooks

 

 

I would definitely have to say these are my most prized possessions- my kids' photobooks. I take 89274367473643 pictures of them and I never print a single one... these are my organization. I highly recommend shutterfly.com - it has an easy-to-use design program and their pricing is very affordable, especially since they are always running some sort of promotion. Take a look at my books below and get inspired- memories are some of life's most important things <3

 

 

Click here to view this photo book larger

The new way to make a photo album: photo books by Shutterfly.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Build your own high-quality photo books at Shutterfly.com.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly baby photo books are the perfect way to preserve your baby's precious moments.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive photobook layouts so you can make your book just the way you want.

Click here to view this photo book larger

You'll love Shutterfly's award-winning photo books. Try it today.

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive photobook layouts so you can make your book just the way you want.

Learning at breakfast :)

On the menu this morning were fruit loops - she helped sort by color, then I told her to eat different colors, repeating them after me as she ate :) We also counted each pile - and she ate a few along the way! Before they all got gone, I found some string and we made a fruit loop necklace- asking her to hand me colors and she even helped string a few (working on those fine motor skills!) Her favorite part of it all: wearing and eating her "neckiss" :) 

DIY Shabby Chevron Window

 

Yay for getting another project checked off my list! I bought this window frame a few years back at a garage sale and it has been sitting in our garage just waiting for some love since then. I wanted a new art piece in our den and I loved the idea of bringing in this window for it. I combined two of my favorite styles: preppy & shabby chic. The following is the end result... I really like how it turned out! :)

Materials:
Old window frame
stencil (I cut apart some chevron contact paper I had)
craft paint (I used Martha Stewart "Pond" and white)
1 yard burlap (I used a light cream color from Hobby Lobby)
foam brush
staple gun



LOVE Martha Stewart Multi-Purpose paint!

Trace the window pane so you know your workspace.

 LOVE this contact paper from HomeGoods :)

 

I cut it apart & stuck it to my burlap, spacing it equal distances apart.

You have to dab the paint down - if you brush it, it will get under your stencil.

 The fun part- peeling back the stencil :)

 I thought it looked too perfect so I got out my white paint and dabbed it around in several places to make it more shabby :)

A couple canned goods to hold the burlap in place and a staple gun...

Voila! The finished product:

My cute little model :)

 

 

Now to frame a couple pictures of the kids to put on either side of it :)

 

 

Labeled Canisters

Another project on the "do later" list checked off...

Canister Labels:

Silhouette Cameo Craft-Cutter Machine

black adhesive vinyl

"artisan shapes" design from Silhouette Studio

Font: Modern No. 20 (free from a Pinterest pin website on my "craft-cutter fun" board (http://pinterest.com/meganbellsmith/)

glass jar-like canisters from World Market

 

 

New Year, New Life

I have been quite testy lately (mainly toward my husband, sorry babe) and I think I have figured it out... this new life change of being a stay at home mom is taking a toll on me. I haven't even officially started SAHM life (until tomorrow) but I think the "letting go" of teaching has kind of had me in a funk. I guess I should have expected it since I don't "do" change well but it has been something that I haven't really recognized until now looking back on the last month or so. I didn't shed a tear on the last days of teaching, even as I watched co-workers and students cry... SO not me.

I am thinking about all of this today; about how one chapter of my life is closing but an amazing one is beginning. Brooklinn is at such a fun age right now- singing, dancing, and her vocabulary: mind-blowing. Warren is also becoming fun for other reasons: ooh-ing and ahh-ing when you talk to him and his whole face lights up when he smiles :)





I am blessed beyond measure to get the opportunity to stay home with these two sweet babies and I am excited to have the chance to watch them grow. So, my New Years Resolution is to look back on teaching with a smile and look forward to my new role as mommy/teacher/extraordinaire with an even bigger one :)


           Happy 2013, everyone!

Craft Cutter Banner

I was inspired by my friend Lauren's banner she made for New Years so I used some things I had around the house and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out :)

New Years Banner

• Silhouette Cameo Craft-Cutter Machine
• White Cardstock
• 4 in tall triangles drawn in Silhouette Studio
• "snowflake" design from Silhouette Studio
• Font: Sybil Green (free from a Pinterest pin website on my "craft-cutter fun" board (http://pinterest.com/meganbellsmith/) 
• thin white ribbon

Mercury Glass / Mirrored Tray

I'm beginning to use my Silhouette Cameo craft cutter more and this is a project I've been meaning to do for a year while now. I picked up the mercury glass tray at HomeGoods and it's just been sitting in our storage closet. I have plans to etch the glass in the future but for now, the vinyl looks just fine :)

Personalized Mercury Glass Tray:

Silhouette Cameo Craft Cutter machine
Cream-colored vinyl
"frame" shape (I think it was one of the free ones you get at start-up?)
font: Modern no.20 (free download from a Pinterest pin on my "craft-cutter fun" board)