it's 5 oclock

I should be making dinner or cleaning the house for bible study tonight...
instead I am organizing craft drawers (and blogging).

the sketchbook project

When I heard about the Sketchbook Project this summer I thought it would be a great way for Regan and I to work together on a project So sometime in July I ordered our journal. I had great plans for us to spend a bit of time together each week doing a spread. The journal came and we were excited but were busy with I can't remember what now, so the journal got set aside to work on soon. Next thing you know it was December and I was busy with Christmas and we still had not started the journal. Finally Regan pulled it out and started drawing a few pictures and just last week I got my hands on the sketchbook for the first time. We have not done much (and only have until Sat. to have it postmarked in on it's way to NY!) but I thought I would share a smattering of what we have done so far!
those flowers above on the left are scrapbook paper- not my work, just in case you thought I was that good :)
I really would like to do this again and be more disciplined/purposeful about filling it!

our new floors are in!

We finished laying the new floor today- all we need now is some quarter rounds and a new threshold then we are on to the walls!
Hopefully I will have more kitchen update photos soon!

on the move

We got the wagon down from the attic the other day and Addie is having a blast pushing it all over the house (and Regan is having fun chasing her all over the house with the camera). :)
Too cute!

chicken and spinach alfredo

My sister made this for Christmas Eve dinner and it was delicious. I asked for her recipe and she gave me a copy of Paula Deen's Chicken Florentine recipe with all sorts of notes scribbled onto it. I came home and promptly made up a batch (which is enough to serve 4 families), two to freeze and save and two to give away. I was sitting down to type the recipe out for my recipe book and thought why not share it with you all?! Hope you enjoy!

Chicken and Spinach Alfredo

2 boxes of pasta (like rotini), cooked and drained
40 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
Meat from 2 rotisserie chickens
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
2 cups of mayo
2 cups of sour cream
4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/4 cups fresh lemon juice
Salt and Pepper
1 cup white wine (or white cooking wine)
1+ cup freshly grated Parmesan
1+ cup soft bread crumbs
4 TBSP butter

In 2 large bowls combine chicken, spinach and noodles (half of each/bowl)

In another large bowl combine soup, mayo, sour cream, Cheddar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and wine. Whisk together and pour half of the sauce over each pasta/chicken mixture.

Mix well with spatula.

Place into 4 greased 8x10 pans or 3 greases 9x13 pans.

Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle over top of casserole. Dot with butter.

If freezing, cover with plastic wrap and foil.

If cooking right away, Preheat oven to 375 and heat for 30-40 minutes.

suprised!

My hubby has been leading worship at our church for the last 5 years and Sunday the church surprised him with a brand new guitar!
It is a Martin and looks and sounds beautiful!
What a wonderful surprise for my super awesome husband!

handmade christmas

I was not very good about taking pictures of all the handmade goodness this Christmas, but here are a few of the things that I made...

Guitar straps.
Gift card boxes (using this tutorial) to hold the much coveted iTunes gift cards.

Ruffled clutch bags for all the sisters and mom's.
Here are a few of them wrapped up.

Christmas Eve pajama's and coordinating softies.

A bag of coal in each of the kid's stockings.
There were also dop kits and camera straps in the mix. The kids made (or asked me to make) gifts for each other too- there were snuggies for the build a bears, pillows, flannel graphs, games and more. This year we all had so much fun doing handmade gifts I think next year we may do an all handmade Christmas!