tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16539006408238032962024-03-13T20:53:33.927-07:00Go Ashley!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-25904744862121037472013-05-16T19:37:00.001-07:002013-05-16T19:38:08.823-07:00I'm Not a Mom, I Just Play One at My House
I am not a mom, but I have three kids. I do everything a mom does. I cook, clean, help with homework, read bedtime stories, plan vacations, drive kids to school... I'm expected to treat these three children just like they are my own. That is easier said than done.
Balancing work and family is difficult for any mom. For a stepmom it's even more difficult. Compromising for three kids I Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-47134119079578039542013-03-26T09:51:00.000-07:002013-03-26T09:51:00.054-07:00Do I Dare Etsy Again?
Bubble Wands
I've been contemplating re-opening a store on Esty, or maybe I should go with the the free site Storenvy... The real question is do I want to do all that again. It's actually a lot of work to take and then load all the photos, add descriptions and then promote the products. Then there are all the logistics of shipping and actually going to the post office on a regular basis.
If Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-2897069584865796142013-03-23T14:04:00.000-07:002013-03-23T14:04:33.538-07:00Achieving Greener Grass
I never in my most random thoughts ever imagined I would be saying this but, I learned something from Justin Bieber today.
I'm not a Bieber fan I don't think I would recognize any of his songs, except the one that we by chance saw him sing about a month ago on Saturday Night Live. During my 4 hour drive home today from visiting my parents the song came on the radio. I recognized it, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-15450153876642489992013-03-11T14:55:00.000-07:002013-03-11T14:55:11.544-07:00Watercolor StridesToday was my third watercolor class. I am happy to report that I am making progress, in fact, I could probably paint those flowers from my previous post now. I won't though. My teacher is very particular about the order of what we paint. We can only use three colors; cobalt blue, lemon yellow and alizarin crimson (red). Any color variation or additional colors have to be mixed from those three Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-60034996870700902632013-02-20T09:00:00.000-08:002013-02-20T09:00:03.753-08:00Watercolor Class
Inspiration
I saw this cute little watercolor and I though, "I can do that". So I pulled out my paints, bushes, paper and sponges. I put the colors I needed on a palate I took my sponge and wet my paper. I was feeling pretty confident. 30 minutes later I wadded up my 5th attempt. I so can not do that. I have no idea how to paint. I've never really painted anything with watercolors.
I was Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-74120101665456139722013-02-18T09:00:00.000-08:002013-02-18T09:00:07.915-08:0050 Shades of Chicken
OMG Sexiest Chicken EVER!
I hated 50 Shades of Grey, but I think 50 Shades of Chicken is fantastic! How clever. If there was ever a parody that was begging to be made it was this one. I never in a million years would have thought a chicken carcass could be so damn sexy!
"I'm in warm pieces all over the plate. My own juices mingle with the sticky sweet jam he's spread all over me. My skin Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-78089035312300679202013-02-14T08:21:00.000-08:002013-02-14T08:21:48.670-08:00Little Love Hearts
Yarn Wrapped Cardboard Cutouts with
Beads and T-shirt flowers.
I love making a big deal out of every holiday! We decorate, always have at least one craft, and a special meal. For the last few weeks the kids and I have been going love heart crazy. We made our own felt heart mailboxes, handmade cards for each other and the cute "little" love heart crafts pictured here.
We had breakfast for Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-34719863192944824632013-02-13T14:12:00.002-08:002013-02-13T14:12:45.494-08:00Where Ya Been???
I know, I have been MIA for months now. I've been really busy doing the stepmomma thing, I went on a few vacations and mostly I ducked out for a while because I was being cyber-stalked. It wasn't really the creepy kind of stalking but it was a still disconcerting. I'm going to try to work my way back into blogging but with a much tighter hold on what I share.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-28735721844502548482012-11-05T16:21:00.000-08:002012-11-05T16:22:24.314-08:00The Label of Stepmom<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-60364834189736424772012-11-02T09:49:00.000-07:002012-11-02T09:50:04.933-07:00How Vulnerable Are You?
Emotions are a good thing. Too often in today's society we try to stifle and ignore what we are really feeling. Our feelings make us who we are. According to researcher Brene Brown emotions, particularly vulnerability, are also be the key to our happiness.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-38497888228379761422012-10-25T12:32:00.000-07:002012-10-25T12:32:42.559-07:00Photography LessonsMy 8 year-old stepson has fallen in love with photography. I had my camera out to take photos for the articles I am preparing for stepmom magazine and he asked if he could try taking a few shots. I don't think he has put the camera down since then!
This one is so nice! I didn't alter any of the photos he took, they are all straight off the camera.
Interesting angles, I think there isAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-9423949185263736842012-10-18T08:47:00.000-07:002012-10-18T08:47:20.826-07:00Childless Stepmom Pains
I cry a lot. Big swollen tears that streak my cheeks and soak my pillow. I have a this deep and painful sense of loss. No one grows up dreaming of raising someone else's kids. I wanted my own kids. I wanted them to grow inside me. I wanted to be in awe of them at their birth, I wanted to feel that overpowering love parents talk about. I wanted to burst into tears of joy because this beautiful Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-13758733515691295502012-10-14T11:33:00.000-07:002012-10-14T11:33:57.031-07:00I'm Going to Be Writing for StepMom Magazine!
I'm very excited to announce that starting in December I will be contributing articles to StepMom Magazine! StepMom Magazine is a must read for any stepmoms out there learning how to navigate their way through stepfamilyhood.
My articles will be about crafting and cooking with the kids. Perfect for me! Those are the two biggest most important things that I do with my stepkids that help us Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-14866801462857566862012-10-09T20:08:00.000-07:002012-10-10T09:08:11.265-07:00Vote Yes for Prop 37
Do you want the right to know what is in your food? Vote Yes for Prop 37, the decision should be ours not theirs. For more information on Prop 37 and your right to know check out the Food and Water Watch. While you're there, pledge to vote yes this November.
photo credit: Nuclear Winter via photopin cc
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-73987140072922594732012-10-05T15:49:00.000-07:002012-10-05T15:49:18.798-07:00Understanding Men
photo credit: Bourguiboeuf viaphotopin cc
Sometimes I honestly do think that men are from Mars. My theory is that some female alien species got completely fed up with them, disguised them in a pretty package, brought them to our planet then high-tailed it out of our atmosphere before the women of earth realized what was going on. Until we become advanced enough to pull the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-72004446547595650092012-10-03T15:52:00.001-07:002012-10-03T15:52:47.636-07:00Bonding with Step Kids
photo credit: ~PhotograTree~ via photopin cc
Bonding with step kids does not happen overnight. At the end of having known my kids for a full year now, I feel like I am still just starting the process. According to everything I have read, and our therapist agrees, blending a family takes 5-7 years.
Parents get to bond with their children from the day they are born.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-1107981209601845382012-09-29T14:07:00.000-07:002012-09-29T14:19:33.598-07:00How to Get More Followers
Growing your online audience is not as important as engaging the audience you already have. Your current audience is much more likely to attract your future audience to your site then you are.
What that means for you is that you are going to have to spend a lot more time engaging people. You need to talk to them and more importantly, listen to what they are saying. Learning about "Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-22590509863000990462012-09-28T13:54:00.000-07:002012-09-28T13:54:01.600-07:00Weight Loss Motivation
1 year and 15 pounds ago...
I know you are looking at that photo and every other photo on this blog thinking what the hell is this skinny girl thinking she needs to lose weight for. Well my dirty little secret is that every single photo I have posted online is at least 9 months old.
It's like my body turned 35 and just turned to me and said, "Sorry girl you are on your own from here on out"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-40918392058361897782012-09-27T18:05:00.000-07:002012-09-27T18:06:32.471-07:00Bonus vs Step in Blended Families
Does the Step in Stepmom and Stepchild really have a bad connotation? Frankly, I don't think it has anything to do with the actual word. If you are going to get your panties in a wad over a word that simply explains to others how your family fits together, good luck dealing with any issues that actually might affect your life.
I've been a stepmom for about a year now. Or to be completely Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-6592301722220314052012-09-26T18:52:00.002-07:002012-09-26T18:54:33.754-07:00Undergoing Some Major Changes
Hey life changes and the only thing we can do is adapt. I'm excited about the changes I'm making and I think you will be too. Bear with me while I get it all reorganized!
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-55665691213262291532012-09-04T09:00:00.000-07:002012-10-03T16:06:54.904-07:00Inspiring Skulls
My Stepson Made This!
I've been making leather cell phone cases for the last few weeks. My 8-year-old stepson loves skulls and was my inspiration for putting them on some of the cases I have made. He LOVES them. Every time I show him my latest skull creation, he wants to keep it.
Today he made his own! He did such a great job, I'm super proud of him. This is only his second sewing project Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-45985159410486037692012-08-20T09:00:00.000-07:002012-10-02T13:23:24.637-07:00Best Chicken Salad Recipe EVER
Best Chicken Salad Recipe Ever
I seriously make the best chicken salad. I love it, during the summer I make it almost every week! Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe, so here it is.
Ingredients
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts. (I always get organic)
1/2 - 2/3 cup Mayonaise
1 1/2 cups green grapes halved
4-5 stalks celery sliced
1/3 cup currants
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-24705803478225030452012-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:002012-08-17T09:00:06.356-07:00Upcycled Leather iPhone Case
Upcycled Leather iPhone Case
Felt Owl Inspiration
While browsing Pinterest for inspiration last week I came across a cute little felt owl iPhone case by lovahandmade, she and a handfull of other crafters sell them on etsy. I have been brainstorming on a cell phone case for a while, and looking for a great project for the leather I have from FabMo. My household has a pretty strong latino Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-48988956399646006652012-08-15T10:22:00.001-07:002012-10-03T16:06:54.895-07:00Upcycled Kids Projects
Rock Ladybugs
A few weeks ago I had a table at an In Home Show. My stepkids were intrigued by what I was doing, this was their first time seeing me get everything together to go sell. I told them that if they wanted to paint some rocks, I would take them to the next show I am in and sell their creations for them. Well, the idea kept growing. The kids have now decided that they would like to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1653900640823803296.post-90261706815955389242012-08-09T09:00:00.000-07:002012-10-02T13:26:04.917-07:00Caprese Breakfast Recipe
Caprese Breakfast Recipe Ingredients
The Way to a Man's Heart is Through His Stomach
I think my boyfriend feel in love with me because of this breakfast. I'm not even kidding. It was the first meal I ever made for him and he has talked about it, begged for it and told me I should start a restaurant because of it, ever since.
The recipe is very simple, the hardest part is not breaking the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04501331064789174544noreply@blogger.com0