Last-Minute New Year's Eve Ideas

Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve and we will be ringing in the new year! 2015 here we come! I've rounded up 15 last minute ideas for a great party.

You are more beautiful than you think

My friend posted this on her Facebook wall and it was so worth the watch! 

The way we view ourselves is completely different than how others, and most importantly God, see us. We were created in His image and to Him, we are beautiful. 

You can see the actual sketches and other videos about this project here.

Blessings, Happy Mail & Bacon

I have been running at high speed since my last post. Preparing for a half marathon, trying to get all my training in, work, Bible study, helping to plan a baby shower and getting ready for Sweet Pea's fourth birthday party! And then there's all the mundane stuff...getting the kids to school, T-ball, soccer and everything in between.

Yes...spring is busy.

But, in my Bible study this week, I was hit by this excerpt:
"I forget that even those daily tasks give me an opportunity to glorify God. I glorify Him when I have a heart that is grateful for those "mundane" tasks, when I recognize that everything I have is on loan from Him, and everything I do can be used for His glory."

Corinne Baur, Running by The Book: Becoming Physically and Spiritually Fit

I needed that reminder this week. So, I count it all as blessings....

God has blessed me with health and the ability to train for a half marathon.
He has given me an awesome opportunity to work in ministry with an amazing group of people.
He has brought women into my life through Bible Study that speak truth into my life.
He has blessed me with talents and abilities that I can use to bless others through events and fellowship.
God has given my husband and me the most amazing kids! And I love to celebrate them!

And celebrate we will!! This is the inspiration for Sweet Pea's Birthday Party...

A Strawberry Shortcake Baking Party!! She invited her closest little girlfriends and we're planning some fun baking activities for them to do. Here are some of the things we've gotten in the mail this week...

Yesterday, my mom and I went the fabric store to get some fabric (and lots of burlap) for the party and the shower

We also picked up 30 pounds of bacon, which we got for a screamin' deal. I split it with my good friend, Katie. I don't think we'll be buying bacon for the next year or so.

So, for dinner tonight...BLT's, of course. By the way, do you bake your bacon in the oven? If not, you should! It will change your life!

UPDATE: Here's how I do my oven-baked bacon:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Arrange bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on how many slices you have on the baking sheet)

If you wanted to make the clean-up super easy, line your baking sheet with foil. And that's it! Perfectly cooked bacon :)

This just pinned: Foodie Style

Here are few of my latest foodie pins...

Recipes for  Cooking on a Budget
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Eggnog Cupcakes
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Use a small cookie cutter to cut pie dough and press into a mini muffin pan
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I guess I better get baking!!

This just pinned...

The kids are already in autumn mode and are asking when it's time for trick-or-treating. I'm loving all the Fall inspiration out on Pinterest right now. Here are a few that I've recently pinned:

Yarn-Wrapped Letters
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Trick-or-Treat Pillows
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Caramel Apple Dip
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Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
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Now, these have nothing to do with Fall, but I think they are brilliant ways to patch up holes!

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15 days until school starts...

but who's counting :)

We have a soon-to-be Kindergartener and a soon-to-be preschooler. It's pretty exciting.

I'm starting to think about back to school traditions to start with our kids. Over the last two years, we've taken first day of school pictures and this year we'll be adding these cute little cards:

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IF I want to up the ante with the photos, here's a good place to start for ideas:

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Some people make a special breakfast or treat. Others throw parties.. I have come across some amazing back to school parties all over Pinterest. Check these out!

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first day of school place setting with free printables
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Keep the ideas coming. What are your back to school traditions?

Friday

Happy Friday! This week just flew by!

We have a busy weekend planned, but next week should be low key. I'm hoping to finally start painting our master bedroom. I've had it on my to-do list for a loooong time! Here are a few pictures I'm using for inspiration:

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Blue, yellow, and gray are our colors of choice. I'll keep you posted on our progress :)

Have a great weekend!