Sunday Snippets - Moments That Matter Most

I thought it would be fun to do a little snippet of what I believe and some of my personal thoughts from time to time and call it Sunday Snippets.  It will be something that I learned during the week, or at church {I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints}, or something that was very tender to me that I would love to share.

As a family we LOVE the Mormon Messages.  Tonight we watched several and ended with this one.

This week I'm going to try and slow down and enjoy the little things like laying in Elli bed and talking the night away, giving extra kisses and saying I love you to my family just so they know I care, listening a little better and talking less, and trying real hard to do what is right.

On another note, we KNOW that we are done adding to our family but today Marli told me while I was holding my niece's sweet baby boy, "Mom {said with attitude}, give him back.  We are not taking him home."  Seriously this kid kills me.  I was enjoying every minute of the snuggles and had no intention of taking him home.  Just getting my baby fix but I guess we ALL are content with our family.

Hope you have a great week.

Summer Decor

I am so excited to be part of my friend McKenzie's

Welcome to our place!

Today I am showing you our summer decor.

When I start decorating our home for seasons or holidays I try to be very organized.  I get the box of "whichever holiday or season" I'm decorating for and a few extra items {mostly thrifted} I've collected over the years and go to town.  When I'm thriftying I purchase items that would be a great addition to my decor.  I look for texture, shape, color, and if it makes me happy!  I then incorporate them into my decor. Sometimes I am more simple with a just a few items and sometimes it is chuck full of everything under the sun. 

See here for some pics.  

Here is our mantel.

I started with the window.  I use it a lot on my mantel.  It is such a statement alone but adds a much needed height.  I found the tennis racket at the thrift store and love it.  I don't even play tennis but it screams summer!!!  I used the bike alot but that too screams summer, plus I love bikes!  So that was a mantel must.  The word SUMMER was made by a friend.  The roll of paper was a thrifty find.   The ants I purchased a few years ago.  They are metal and are super cute.  What is summer without ants? 

Seriously, they are everywhere!

End Table 

Couch Decor

I LOVE to switch out my blanket and pillows for the season.  This is an inexpensive and easy way to change things up.  I use some of the pillows over and over again like this black one I use it for Halloween and Valentines!  That way you don't have to have a ton of extra pillows.

 Front Door
I love adding a wreath to the front door and a little color with flowers.  This is a hosta.  I love it.  Now we are ready for summer!
*I tried to get a pic of my front door and look who wanted to be in my pics!  I sure love these girls-they make me laugh!

Thanks for stopping by today hope We hope you will come back and visit again!

Check out all of these great summer ideas.

You won't be hearing "I'm board" this summer!!! 

Missionary

My niece just received her mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She will serve for 18 months in the Kennewick, Washington area.  We will miss her dearly but know that she is doing the right thing.  She is such a great example.  Here is a plaque that I made for her and for my neighbor.  He wanted one for his parents who are currently serving as well.

I made this by cutting out the words in vinyl and then putting them on a painted piece of wood.

Pizza

Two weeks ago my friend McKenzie came into town to be on Studio 5.  We had a blast!  We sampled her pizza {that she was showing for the show}, went shopping, ate ice cream, and stayed up way to late.  We were even lucky enough to have her stay over at our house.  My girls loved having her over as much as I did.  Here is her segment!

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I didn't know how much we would like her pizza {which we all LOVED it - and have made it twice since she was here} so I made a BBQ chicken pizza to go along with hers.  McKenzie asked for my recipe so I thought I would just post it here so you can enjoy it too!

Sorry no pic.

I am horrible with taking pictures of food.

It is never around long enough for me to snap a shot!!!

Here is my pizza crust:

2t dry yeast

1 c warm water

1T sugar

Combine these ingredients and let sit for 5 min then add

2 1/2 - 3 c flour

1t salt.

Mix until it forms into a ball and is not sticky.

Roll dough onto your lightly coated pizza stone or pan then add

BBQ sauce, cooked and chunked chicken, mozzarella and Gouda cheese, then a little bit of sliced red onion.  I think the Gouda makes all the difference!

Cook your pizza until it is golden brown at 400 degrees.

*I like to use 2/3 of my dough for the pizza and then the other 3rd for bread.  All I do is roll the dough out and then put a little butter, garlic powder, basil, and some cheese and cook that at 400 degrees until golden brown.

Super easy and super delish.

DownEast – Home Edition

Have you been to DownEast lately?  It is FABULOUS!!! So many new things.

From fabulous colors, and textures to designs.

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I’m dying over those chairs.  I LOVE the colors.

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You really need to try out their furniture.  It is so comfy at such a great price.  If you don’t believe me ask my girls.  They love to sit on them and hate to leave.  The metal pieces are simply amazing.  I could take one of everything.  And I can’t decide what lamp is my favorite.  I LOVE them all!

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When I get my kitchen floor and island, I am coming to DownEast for the perfect bar stools.  This will be the hardest decision because I want them all.  How do you decide?  What one would you pick?

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We are suckers for these owls and these stuffed animals.  Seriously, they are so stinkin’ cute!

Now this lounge is my FAVORITE.  So comfy and the colors are amazing.  I think I NEED this.  This would be so perfect everyday in the summer.  I mean after I get done cleaning my house, feeding the kids, and showering {haha}!!!  Check out DownEast for a store near you!!!

~PS. If you are in the market for a new swimsuit, they have the cutest, and most modest ones right now.  I bought the white ruffle one {no longer on their website} but go quick cause it is in their stores now and oh so flattering!

~I was compensated for this post but I LOVE DownEast and all opinions are 100% mine!

Kitchen Trim

When we first moved into our home, a little over a year and a half ago, we LOVED the house, the yard, the fact that it was almost salon ready {I cut hair 2 days a week - from our home}, and that it had an attached garage.  We really couldn't be happier except... it needed a little love.  It needed to be painted {which I am almost done with}, the cabinet trim HAD to be changed {the trim was black and the cabinets are rustic hickory}, and I wanted new flooring on the main level.  I HATE the flooring {Burk doesn't love it but doesn't mind it}.  As you walk in the front door there is checkered tile {both tiles colors are great but I don't love them together}, the office is wood laminate, and the family room is carpet.  It's just a bit too much. 

There's my cute rug that I will be posting about real soon!!!

~This pic is not the greatest but you get the idea~

Well, as I've done my research this is going to be a HUGE project.  I can't wait to start but until I can I will continue to plug along on my painting, decorating, and I change out the cabinet trim.

This was a pretty simple change but it made all the difference in the world.  The bottom trim was super simple, but the crown molding was hard.  After my dad, his twin brother, You Tube, and the help of a few neighbors we finished the trim and we couldn't be happier.

What do you think?  Much better right?

I sure wish I could give you a tutorial on how to do this but I really don't know how to do it other than I was a GREAT helper.  This is how I did it though...I had a cabinet company called Out Of The Woods {they were AWESOME to deal with, and the cheapest around} come and measure and match the trim to my cabinets.  The trim matched perfectly.  Then I took off all the existing trim, and had some helpers do the rest of the work!

I was NOT compensated for this post.  I just had a great experience with Out Of The Woods and I thought I would share! When I get my flooring done, I will be getting a new island and will be going through them again.

Chalkboard Thought of The Month

As spring has sprung I've found it fitting to add a little happiness to the chalkboard.

Every time I walk by this sign it reminds me to "Make Someone Happy".

I love that when I do this it MAKES ME HAPPY TOO!!!

Color Run

Want to run the Happiest 5K on the planet?

Well then The Color Run {SALT LAKE} is the run for you.

The Color Run is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, individuality, and giving back to the community. 

The Color Run is not about winning the run, it is about having a good time.  In fact it is not even timed.  This is a great way to try a run if you haven't or get the whole family together to celebrate.

As you start the run you are fresh and clean {make sure to wear white}.

Then add color...

Be sure to use code: COLORPOTTERS when signing up to save $5.  If you sign up with a group you will save another $5.  That's a total of 10 bucks off if you sign up with a group!  Its going to be a blast!!!

code expires 8/21/13 - or until sold out.

From The Mouths of Babes

Tonight I tried a new recipe.  I will have to make it again and take a pic - it was so delish that is was gone before I even thought about a pic!  It was tortilla soup and is only 60 cal per cup.  Seriously, my girls loved it except M didn't like the meat.  Weird?  I know, she liked the soup but wouldn't eat her chicken.  She loves chicken nuggets but not fresh chicken.  So I told her if she didn't eat the chicken then she couldn't have a treat.  Well, she didn't get her treat.  Later on she said, "Mom, next time can you make something gooder for dinner so I can have a treat?"  Seriously?  I busted up.  I couldn't help it.  I guess next time {tomorrow} I'll have to make something gooder so she can get her treat!!!

~

As I layed in bed with E talking about the day I asked her if she knew how much I loved her.  Then we talked about when she was a baby.  She loves that.  I was talking about how lucky I am to be her mom and that I am so glad she is part of our family.  She said, "Mom, I hope I get an adopted baby too." Well what do you say to that?  "Why?" I asked.  "Because I think the baby will bug me."  Oh my heck!!!  I was dying.  "What do you mean?"  "Well, when I get twins I think they will bug me in my tummy so I will just get adopted babies! , and I don't want to have to buy new clothes."  HAHA. 

From the mouths of babes.

I feel so blessed to have these two to make me laugh every day!!!

I'm NOT Quittin'

I don't know how to start this so here I go...

When I first started blogging I did it for myself then someone commented on E's room and then I saw it on Pinterest.  I was SOOO excited I couldn't stand it.  I couldn't believe that someone actually read my blog. 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I can't say that enough.  I truly feel so blessed for the amazing experiences and FUN I have had through this blog. 

No I am not quitting, I will continue to blog but it will not be very consistent.  I can't fail at doing what I want and have waited so long to become and that is being a MOM!  Parenting is HARD.  So many times I have said, "Just a minute I HAVE to get this done."  No I don't! This can wait.  My girls need me and I NEED them too. 

 I have cried and cried trying to decide what to do and feel that you should know what is going on.  I have also gone through what I like to call FOMO {fear of missing out} and I hope that I will still continue to be included in "BLOGGING events", do a few "shows" {I love to film!}, and blog about things I LOVE {products}.  I am still a blogger and will always be one!  I am not a quitter.  I just need to slow down a little and do what I feel in my heart to be right.

I sure hope that you will come back and see what craziness we are up to.

 Be sure to follow me on Instagram {thepottersplace} to see our everyday life.

Thanks again for reading my blog - you will never know how much I appreciate it.

Big Hugs - Staci