My Lil' Sweet Heart

One of my favorite people in the whole wide world recently got engaged - my sorority lil' sister Shauna! I am so excited for her, and to be a bridesmaid! Yippie!

Since I'm so far away and can't be there to do all the things I would normally do, I wanted to send her a little something special.

THE INSPIRATION

THE SUPPLIES

THE END RESULT

 

 



Has to look cute in the mail too right?

So what do you think? I thought this would make a really cute Valentines Day craft too. Maybe next year I'll link up to some Linky Craft Parties - then I'll feel like one of those big time super creative bloggers that I blog stalk and copy their ideas :)

And you know, I thought it would be easy getting a Marry Me conversation heart. But I bought 4 big bags and nada - just "text me" - "love you" - "U R COOL" - etc.

But Shauna said her hubby-to-be found his in one little box. First try and he wasn't even looking for it. Hmph. Lucky guy. In more ways than one.

Guess it's mean to be then huh?

Congrats again to my lil sis! So excited for July!

It's All About The LUV

Happy Valentines Day to all! I love this holiday and as much as I think you should tell people you love them everyday, I won't pass up an opportunity to decorate with pinks and reds and candy! But today's post isn't about garland and glitter. It's an I-LUV-U to my family and friends that I hold in my heart everyday. Thank you all for blessing and enriching my life with yours. 

I LUV my big happy extended family!

To my VIPs....most girls are lucky if they are surrounded by a few good friends. I was so blessed to be surround by amazing, gifted, beautiful, smart women in college who will forever be a part of me.

To my Bubs and Nay. I cannot express how much I LUV these girls. They have been my life since THIRD and sixth grades. They and their families are an extension of mine and I thank God for bringing them into my life.

To my Big and Lil' - Mel and Shauna. We are sisters in every sense of the word. We may not get to see each other as often as we like, but you both, my "family" in Alpha Phi shaped who I am and forever changed my life.

To my Es'Reeeeeee' girls. These are more than the best co-workers you can ask for. They were essential to my survival success at that company. They kept my sanity and were the reason I came in everyday. I miss them every day.

My fur babies. Woof woof, bow wow. Mommie LUVs you so much!

Ryan. My best friend. I LUV you.

Happy Valentines Day to all. Hugs and Kisses to all!

--------

Rest In Peace F.G. 

Superbowl Treats - Oreo Stuffed Cookies

For those of you getting a sweet tooth in the second half, have I got a recipe that will kick your blood sugar into high gear. Many of you have been lucky enough to try my deep fried Oreos - except for Ry because I don't want to deal with the mess of oil and frying. But the boy is crazy for sweets and treats, so when I saw this recipe on Becky Bakes I knew he would be game.

It's pretty easy: make chocolate chip cookie batter, smear it around an Oreo (fellow bloggers recommend Double Stuffed Oreos) and bake! 

One tip I would share would be to make a thicker cookie dough or at least chill it before wrapping the Oreos. Mine was really soft and ran a bit in the oven. Ryan said he likes them better because they are bigger. 

Ok, so looks aside. How do they taste?

Ryan said: That was like my dream 3-way. Chocolate chip cookies, melted Oreos and me.

'Nuff said.

A Quilted Heart 'n Wreath

I have some of the greatest family members ever, but one I'd like to blog about today is my Aunt Connie. She is married to my Uncle Don who is one of my dad's siblings. We have a nice big family, but growing up I particularly remember spending a lot of time with "the Don Wards" (we are the Dave Wards), which include Don, Connie, my cousin Allie and Erin. Lots of great memories....

What makes Connie so great? Besides everything? Well this year I was lucky enough to draw her name for our annual gift exchange and although I couldn't fly out for the parrrrr-tay, I wanted to do something extra special, crafty and unique because that's what she would do. Connie actually is an amazing quilter and owns A Quilted Heart in Northern California. When I graduated college I had a clothing stores worth of sweatshirts, t-shirts, jackets, etc. from my Alpha Phi days, and I knew that I would never wear all of them again....but snuggle with them? Oh yes. Aunt Connie stepped up to the plate and made my sorority quilt, which is one of my top 5 most cherished possessions EVER! She has since made one for all the high school and/or college grads and it's turned into an amazing family tradition. They are all so unique and beautiful, but I am partial to mine. It's the best. See?

So what could I make her? Well, I decided on a quilting wreath that she could hang either at home or at her shop! I didn't know it at the time but my color choices were spot on and apparently it was a big hit at the party. Wish I could have been there, but I sent my love and best wishes. So here are a few pics of how it turned out. What do you think? 

My mom has demanded a scrapbooking wreath by Mother's Day. I have a few ideas but any suggestions?

This season I also did a cupcake liner wreath for our house for the holidays. Can't wait to make more after seeing other fellow bloggers holiday craftiness!

happy two years!

Happy two year anniversary baby! What an amazing journey it has been! 

Some of you know how our story began, but I thought today would be a good chance to blog about it. With plenty of random pics!

Ryan is originally from Boston, while I was born in California. Ryan was an EMT in Boston before getting accepted to Ross University for medical school. Ross students spend the first two years on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean before coming back to Miami and the States for rotations and graduation. While in school, Ryan was a part of their local EMS (emergency medicine services) where he met Jeff.

Jeff is the now husband of my best friend Jacquelyn (check out their blog here), who I have been friends with since the 3rd grade. Yeah, over 2 decades. While the guys were on the island Jacque was in law school in Michigan and I worked as a corporate event planner. Jacque always told me to talk to Ryan but let's be honest, he was thousands of miles away. How would that work? The story also goes that Jeff showed Ryan pictures of Jacques bridesmaids and when he saw my pic he said I was "hot" or cute, depending on who is telling the story.

We joke that we met on J-Date. Jac and Jeff are Jewish and J-Date is a dating site for Jewish singles....and since they were our matchmakers...ok, you get it.

Fast forward to November 2008 and for the um'tenth time I was asked how the love life and job were going.  Needless to stay - stale. I had been looking for jobs for quite some time all over the country. I just needed a change! So I mustered up the courage and....click! Added Ry as a friend on Facebook. After a few comments and wall posts we talked on instant messenger and then - the phone call. Our first call was an international 8-hour call. Let's say our parents were not pleased with the phone/text message bill. 

In January 2009 Ryan arrived in Miami and I came out for our first face to face meeting. I still look back and go, wow I was either really brave or really desperate that I'd fly 3000 miles for a "blind" date. We both still remember seeing each other as I walked down the concourse. He was relieved, I thought he would be taller. Hahaha! One month later I was accepted into the University of Miami and by April I had quit my job that I'd had for 5 years, left all my friends and family and moved cross country.

Two years later we have faced extended unemployment, serious medical issues, being away from all our family and friends, both being in school, sharing one car (after we lost mine in a flood), living paycheck to paycheck and the everyday struggles of life. Two years later we also have two beautiful fur babies, Toby and Annabelle, I have a great job and we are both moving forward in school. Oh, and we live steps from the beach.

  

I love you babe so much. Thank you for sticking through it all by my side. If we can weather these storms, we can take on the world. Here's to many more years together!

For My Mom...

I love you! I am so proud of how brave you are today! God is with you. 

The Spirit of the Season...

....is sugar! And ribbons! And glitter! Just kidding! This year I began the process of converting to Catholicism and every Sunday evening before Mass, I have "class" to learn about this path of faith we have chosen. I love it! So I decided nothing is better than cupcakes to spread some holiday cheer! I wish I had time to present these on my cute cake platter to take pictures but I was running late and just snapped a few before throwing the lid on my cupcake carrier.

I made (of course) red velvet with candy cane crunch, and then also decorated some to look like little mugs of hot coco! My classmates gobbled them up! Felt good to just enjoy something sweet as the rain came down, the stained-glass windows flickered with candle light and we discussed the true reason for the season.

 Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10)

Next time I'm going to add a different wrapper and make a chocolate "mug handle"!

Amen and Bon Appetite!