You'll always be your mom's little one, and there's nothing more sentimental than homemade Mother's Day gifts, regardless of your age. Whether you enlist the help of your kiddos or craft up a keepsake on your own, discover these homemade gift ideas just in time for Mother's Day.
   

1. Baked gifts

Use your mom's favorite recipes to bake up cupcakes, cake pops, brownies or cookies for a nostalgic gift on Mother's Day.

2. Breakfast in bed

Keep a Mother's Day tradition alive by having your kids serve your mom breakfast in bed, even when you've left the nest!

3. Homemade soap

Have your kids help combine glycerin with natural ingredients such as oatmeal, honey or blades of grass to create unique soaps.

4. Homemade candles

Simply jazz up plain pillars with decals or specialty candle paper for gift candles almost too pretty to burn.

5. Homemade trail mix

Fuse granola and dried fruit to create a homemade gift of trail mix that is personalized to please her palate.

Whip up these 20 edible Mother's Day gift ideas she'll gobble up >>

6. Homemade flower hair clip

Turn simple silk or paper flowers into pretty hair accessories when glued to alligator clips to present on Mother's Day.

7. Homemade spa gifts

Sugar scrubs, bath soaks and face masks can be made from ingredients in your own kitchen, but take mom far, far away.

8. Embellished sleep mask

Give a plain sleep mask some flair with rhinestones, jewel glue and glitter slick paint to help moms get some well-deserved slumber.

9. Candy jar

Top a canning jar with Mom's favorite candies, glue and then seal goodies with clear acrylic paint and fill jar with the same treat to share with her grandkids.

10. Personalized stationery

Homemade stationery sets are a great Mother's Day gift idea and can be assembled and personalized easily by tearing edges, having kids stamp or by monogramming in Mom's favorite hues.

Let me know what you think about these ideas!  If you have some ideas, please comment below!

 

Brrrrrr!!!!  February has been buried!!

This was taken on a Saturday morning.  We had just been hit with a good snow early that morning and my hubby's parents water line burst.  We were headed to fix that for them.  Not long after I took that picture, there was an SUV on the other side of the four lane headed in the opposite direction.  But what caught my eye was that it was on FIRE!  Yes, driving down the road ON FIRE.  I told my husband to turn around (in snow and ice and FAST) and I immediately called 911.  By the time we got back to that vehicle, it was in flames.  I knew the young lady that was driving the vehicle.  She had just bought the Jeep and was headed to work.  I also knew her boss, so we called him and let him know what was going on.  Within minutes the vehicle was engulfed and the battery and various engine parts had exploded.  She lost everything except herself and what was in her pockets.  The fire department arrived just in time before the flames hit the gas tank.



 She was safe but lost her belongings in the vehicle as well as the vehicle.  Not long after this day,a good friend went missing while heading to work.  She was found 10 hours later, stranded in her vehicle that had slid off the road.

Its been a very Dangerous month here in Tennessee!  But alas, it has been beautiful.  Here a few pics of the last snow that we had.

Tell Me:  How has the weather been your way??

Lately, I have been on the hunt.  The hunt for the perfect planner for work and life balance.  With all the things that I do, I need a lot of space and particulars in my planner.

What Areas of my Life that I need to cover:

• Work: I work in the medical field and I have to follow a load of federal, state, and company guidelines.  I have very specific time limits for records.  And in order for the office to run smoothly, I need to be organized and run like a well greased wheel.
• Web Design: I build web sites on the side and when I have a project going, I can get lost in the minor details.  You would not believe what actually goes in to building a website.  There are facets that have time limits and items that can NOT be completed before other items.  Lack of organization can cause the build to slowly creep or come to a halt. 
• Crochet: All crochet items take quite a bit of time.  I like to track when an order needs to be done, when it needs to be mailed/delivered, how many rows I need to accomplish per day to finish it on time, etc.  
• Blogging: Like web design, there are many facets to blogging.  Tracking, posts, ads, comments, actual writing time and concepts: these are just a few of the areas.  To be organized is to be successful.
• Home/Personal: We all need a little organization in our personal lives.  I see my home as a personal hotel.  There has to be planning and prepping for it to run smoothly.  Laundry has to be done at a certain time so that I am SURE that everyone has a nice bed to sleep in, fresh towels, clean clothes for the next day.  Also, no one wants to be sick and face to face with a dirty toilet bowl!

What I am currently using to plan:

• Work: I have a small planner that I carry in my purse that I jot down the hours that my honey and I have worked.  Then I also have a folder at work that holds various printed emails and hand written notes to remind me of certain things.  Then I have a LARGE desktop calendar to track holidays as well as drug rep luncheons, etc.  Pretty much I am all over the place.
• Web Design:   I have about four spiral bound notebooks that I do nothing but jot down various information in no organized way.  Its all random, not even written straightly on the lines (most of the time it's written diagonally across the page in the middle of a blank notebook and on the half of the page that has not been ripped out).  Needless to say, this area is a mess.
• Crochet:  Most of the time I do NOT have anything written down and wing it all.  Any information that I do need is stored online or written on the pattern that I need (or have written).  No organization in finances (other than just keeping everything in a folder).
• Blogging:  This is the biggy!  I have been researching and hunting.  Right now, I'm just winging it.  I have jotted various things down on scrap papers and online.  This is where I found out that I am a pen and paper girl.  Doing my blog planning on my blog back office or online is NOT helping keep me organized at all. 
• Home/Personal: I have a big black notebook calendar that I keep at home.  The small one that I keep in my purse. A journal that i keep at home. Various and numerous notebooks that I hot down in. My cell phone that I keep things up with. Numerous failed attempts at printing and trying to use others planners as well as online programs for planning.

Currently, I feel like I am all over the place!  I saw a great ad for a planner that was called The Passion Planner.  But, when I clicked the link, they weren't doing calendars until March of this year.  That's not helping me at the moment.

This is what I am looking for:

• A single place for everything! Oh how wouldn't that be nice.  All the planning in one single place. One planner to track everything.
• Work and Life Balance.  Make sure that I am balancing out my happy things with the things that I have to stay on top of.
• Time Management. I will be able to see where I am spending most of my time. As well as, seeing where I am wasting most of my time.
• Task Planning.  This is a nice little thing that I came up with.  Where I plan my tasks to avoid time wasting.  For instance: I do all my errands on one day and strategically plan my trek through the different places in town without back tracking or running like crazy all over the place.
• Brainstorming.  I want to be able to track ideas and random thoughts that I have.  I have tons of random thoughts LOL  Hence all the notebooks that I have around the house that have completely random things written randomly throughout the pages HAHAHAHA

This is what I have decided to do:

I have decided that I just want to create my own!!  Once I get it put together I will most likely be sharing pages on here.  The objective here is to see if I can put together what all I want in a single planner.....maybe offer it for sale when it is good to go and I use it well.  Right now it is time to plan and then on to trial and error.

Do you have any ideas for the planner?  What would you like to see in your work + life balance planner? 

Today, I went to work with a full heart and a big smile.  Last night, I had accomplished a lot of revamping my blog and rebranding the site.  I felt like I had taken strides!  I knew that I would get off early from work today, so my mind was at home, already browsing Pinterest.  LOL I know!  My love for Pinterest is disgusting.  I got home shortly after paying a few bills and running errands in town.  Now the real work begins.

I have spent pretty much the rest of the working day and the evening organizing my thoughts for the blog.  This is what I have accomplished:

• Finding multiple blog planners
• Downloading said blog planners
• Printing my favorite
• Finding a completely digital blog planner that I liked more
• Browsing Pinterest
• Writing this post
• and getting Writers Block (WTH?! Already?!)

   So, I did what I do best......I skipped the glass and went straight for my favorite bottle of wine.  I sat back with a notebook and pen.  I journaled my frustrations on a few sheets of paper.  I laughed with my man and then laid down for a nap.  How was that for progress?? LOL

When I got up, I knew that it was time to get to work.  More time on Pinterest and making myself think long and hard about what it is that I have decided to do.

I now have a game plan, an empty notebook, a full (working) pen (which also happens to be my ABSOLUTE favorite!!!  hmmmmm.....idea for blog post?), and my honey is making some grub for us to eat.  Time to brainstorm and create a HUGE list of ideas!  Ready, set, GO!!!!
 



What do you do when you want to write?  Give me ideas on how you unwind.
 

I just got back from my cruise to the Eastern caribbean!  And it was a crochet cruise!!!  What an amazing time I had!!

I got to spend a lot of time with Mikey and Dan of The Crochet Crowd.  The classes were wonderful!  Mikey and Dan really did an outstanding job with this cruise and the crochet aspect of it.  We had plenty of vacation time, too.

One night, a bunch of us went to the nightclub on the boat.  Most of the time, I spent dancing with Mikey, my mother, my new friend Cheryl, and a few other women!  What a blast!!!

I took LOADS of pics and have decided to share them on here.  FOR NOW ONLY, I am providing a link to my photobucket story.  I am sure that I will be writing memory posts with stories and the pics that go with the story.

Take a peek through them and let me know what you think :)

Cruise Photo Story

Along with the New Year comes…..

You got it!  New Years Resolutions!

While I did NOT make any specific resolutions other than banking money (LOL!), I have thought about a LOT of things that I would like to change within my life.

One of the first things that crossed my mind was my organizational skills at home.  I strive to be more on TOP of things and ahead of the game.  We have a lot of company that comes in and out of our home and I want this house to be a warm hugging home to all that enter these doors.  On a basic level, that means that I need to stay on top of the cleaning and daily upkeep around my home.  Doing this would take a LOT off my man.  And by a LOT, I mean worry, stress, cleaning the house himself, etc.  I want his day to consist of working his job and coming home to relax, not clean.

Write a letter to your reflection in the mirror.

Dear self,

No matter what has happened to you before, you are ok now.  You are beautiful and STRONG!!  You are an amazing woman.  You are an achiever.  You are an inspiration and a success.  You are loved.  You have a great personality.  You are fun!  Just keep doing what you are doing.  Dont get content.  Dont get over confident.  Dont get discouraged.  Just keep pushing through and make this life YOURS!  I am proud of you!  You have a supportive man that is so supportive.  Use that to stay positive.  Dont let life drag you down.  Keep your fun and easy going attitude.  When you are stressed, PRAY.  Remember, God is always listening for you.  You can do whatever you put your mind to.  You are smart.  Dont let another person bring you down.  Show kindness to everyone.  Being mean will get you no where.  Love yourself.  

Write a letter to the person that you want to tell everything to, but you are too afraid.

Dear Lover,

Yet we meet again.  I just wrote you a letter yesterday.  Wasn't that enough?? LOL Just remember, these letters are for me, not really for you. LOL

I wish I could give you all the time that I had before I met you.  I wish that I could tell you all things that have happened to me in my life.  I just can't......yet.  Maybe one day.  But not yet.  I'm afraid that you would leave or judge me or be disgusted.  Maybe after we have been together for many many many many years and I know that we are forever.

Until then, enjoy not knowing.

:)

Write a letter to someone that changed your life.

Dear Lover,

Once again I am writing to you :)  It makes my heart happy to see that you are the recipient of so many of my letters.  I know that I have told you this before and you have told em the same.  Meeting you and getting to knwo you changed my life!

I was happy being alone.  I worked and that was it.  I did what I had to survive and I didnt care about being close to anyone ever again.  I was wounded.  I busied myself with mundane things and no interaction with others.  We had a long talk and had some fun that one night in April.  We were both just looking to relax and get away from the stress of life.  Who would have ever thought that you would come searching me out after that?  Neither one of us did.  Neither one of us was looking for anything.

We developed a GREAT friendship.  The connection and chemistry between us was obvious to everyone but us.  Soon enough, we captured each others hearts.  God put us together.  You've called me your little miracle, but really you are mine.  You taught me that I can love again.  you taught me that I am special.  you taught me that I am beautiful and strong and that I love myself.  You changed my world.  I am so thankful for you!

I love you so much
Your love

Write a letter to the friendliest person you knew for only one day.

Wow!  How am I going to remember that?????  If it was only one single day.  Im so lost lol.

Dear Friendliest person that I only met for one day,

wish we could meet again.  You seemed really cool and nice.  And oh so friendly!  HAHAHAHAHAHA  I have no idea who I am writing to.  This one is going to be super short.  Peace out and happieness

Dani

Write a letter to the last person that you made a pinky promise to.

Dear Kaydence,

Auntie Dani loves you so much!!!  I miss you!!!  I am glad that I get to see you more now than ever before.  I am happy that you live close to Auntie Dani now.  I am still working on making your horse and I love you sooooooooooo much.  I will give it to you when I am done with it :) I promise.  And one day you are going to be able to spend the night with me...... I promise that too.  Just mommy loves you so much, It will break her heart from missing you if you didnt sleep with her at night.

See you soon Kady bug
Love you always
Auntie Dani

Write a letter to the person that you know si going through the worst of times.

Dear Mommom (my maternal grandmother),

I know this is the hardest time of the year.  We all lost a great man last year.  It broke my heart too that Johnny died.  He wasnt a step grandfather to me.  He was my REAL grandfather.  Just know that I am here for you.  I am right across the street when you need anything.

I love you
Your friend and granddaughter

Write a letter to the person that gave you your favorite memory.

This one is hard.  I have tons and tons and tons of great memories.  Lets search the memory bank and choose...........searching..........searching.........searching for best memory..........loads of bad memories coming up........still searching.............Ah HA!!!!!

Dear Dad,

You have always gave me good memories.  But the best one and the one that still means the most to me, was the night that I was heartbroken.  I was in high school and you crawled in my bed with my and held me while I cried.  You wouldnt leave.  You stayed there until I fell asleep.  You have no idea how much that still means to me.  That night I told you things that had happened to me that you could never imagine.  You didnt abandon me.  Instead, you gave me a shoulder to cry on and arms to lean into.  You gave me enough peace that I could fall asleep, even with a swollen face from crying so much.  You are an amazing man!  I think I found one just like you, and I plan to hold on to him for as long as I can.

I will love you always Dad
Forever your little girl

Write a letter to the last person you kissed.

easy as pie!

Dear Lover,

Your kisses are sweet like the dew on a fresh Georgia Peach.  HeeeHeeHee  Yeah right!!  you know they are hairy and rough....just like I like em!  I look forward to your kisses everyday!  Even when I am working and dont get to see you for a few days, I still look forward to my kisses via text message. :)

My absolute favorite......when you sneak behind me and kiss my neck, move around to the front of me while giving me pecks all over my neck and cheeks.  Then you wrap your arms around me in a hug and plant a big one on my lips.  That makes my heart flutter.  Just feeling your strong arms around me and your love.  **Le Sigh**  LOL

I love you handsome
Dani

Write a letter to someone that you want to give a second chance.

I dont have anyone that I want to give a second chance.  Once you cross me, I burn that bridge.  Sorry.  Its just who I am.  So instead I am writing a letter to those people that crossed me.

To all of you whom know what you did,

You knew better.  I was good to you.  You know that I would have given you the shirt off of my back if you needed it.  And many of you did get a lot from me.  You let me down.  You disappointed me.  I thought that you were someone that I could count on.  When things changed I realized that I did NOT need someone like you in my life.  I would rather never see your face again, as to have to deal with you.  I can not stand a liar, thief or cheat.  Thank you for revealing your true colors before I got in too deep and really needed you.  Some of you should be really ashamed of yourselves.  Maybe one day you will realize that you could have had a friend for a life time.  Maybe what happened between us changed who you are.  I can only hope and pray for that.

Dani

Write a letter to someone you judged by first impression.

Dear Olive Oil,

My first impression of you was correct.  Keep your distance.  You are bad news!

Your co-worker

Write a letter to the one that broke your heart the hardest.

Dear Ex,

I know that I wrote you a letter earlier on this month.  But your name has come up once more.  You not only broke my heart.  You broke my soul.

Really I am thankful because some times you just need to be broken all the way down before you can rebuild and be happy.

I am so much happier now.  Like I said before, I am much better off now.

Dani

Write a letter to someone that really pesters your mind: good or bad.

Dear "You know without me even saying it",

Move ON!  This letter is going to be short.  You left. Get over it.  Quit hanging around.  You talked so much crap.  You are a liar.  One day you will get yours back tenfold.  Just remember that.

P.S.  You are NOT a victim.  Your stupidity is the cause of all your woes.

Dani

Write a letter to the person that you wish you could be.

Dear Tina,

WOW!  I never tell you this enough, but I wish I was more like you.  You were always so close to me and helped me whenever I needed it.  You are such an amazing person.  you have a wonderful family and I hope that your girls turn out like you too.  You bless everyone that you meet.  You are so kind and fun, too.  You have a big heart.  I have never seen you not be able to do something.  You are a jack of all trades and can do a mans work any day.  Your walk with God and your faith is so inspiring.  The way that you took Gavin in makes me just want to be more like you.  You are a great mother and wife.  You do so much for everyone.  I feel like you just dont get thanked enough.  So thank you!!!

I want to be more like you.  More than you could ever know.  You have been through so much and are such a strong person.  Please dont ever forget how amazing you are!  And dont ever change.

Your little cousin
Danielle

Write a letter to someone from your childhood.

Dear Mrs. Fairchild,

I absolutely loved you and your class.  You challenged us.  You challenged me.  you inspired me to do more than I thought I was capable.  Many times recently, I find myself thinking that you saw something in me that I still struggle to see.  A success story.

Thank you for encouraging me to lead a team on the stock market team.  I still can't believe that I actually won.  I really had no idea what I was doing.  I wonder if you were still teaching, if you would still be passing out my poetry for learning prose and symbolism.  I am writing a book by the way.  I am positive that would put a smile on your face.

When I heard you were retiring, I felt like our high school was loosing one of its best teachers.  You are a truly fabulous and inspiring woman.

Thank you once again,
Danielle