Are You Gonna Be My Girl? and other random song lyrics…

It’s official – I started choreographing for the Spring Dance Concert today, so I’ve got random song lyrics stuck in my head. In true Miscellany Monday fashion I will be presenting my miscellaneous thoughts in the “order” they pop into my head.

.1 2 3 take my hand and come with me.

One of my Dance II classes is using this song for their tap piece. I’m about to evict it from my head.

.etsy finds.

I’ve decided I would really really like to add the following two pieces of jewelry to my collection.

[found in this super cute Etsy shop]

This one is pretty self explanatory – it’s definitely become my non-scripture life motto. How cute is it in teal?!

[found at this lovely Etsy shop]

Oh, I don’t swoon very often, but these earrings have done it. I have always had a special place in my heart for birch trees (they’re almost as special as willow trees!). Bring me to a grove of birch trees and all my cares will wash away. I’ll be saving my pennies!

.pink tux to the prom.

This is a favorite song from college that my Dance I kids will be using. I’m hoping they get into it :)

.falling leaves.

I’m still working on Necessary Endings, but I stumbled upon this book the other day and decided it’s next on the list for the Mother-Daughter book club! Can’t wait to read it!

[buy it on Amazon here]

p.s. It drives me crazy that every time I search this book the color looks different.

.new blog look.

How do you like the new blog look? I’m all about simplifying things these days and that includes the blog! I love the clean lines! The only thing that’s driving me crazy is the icons in the side column that aren’t centered. They’re HTML, so I’ve got no clue how to fix them!

.doo dee doo doodle doodle doo.

At least that’s what I think the words are at the beginning of Singin’ in the Rain. My 1st period class got to watch the entire movie in November, so I thought it was only appropriate they got to pay homage to one of my favorite tap dancers :)

.shrimp curry rice.

I’ve been craving it for a few days. I got some asparagus to throw in too and seasoned seaweed to throw on top. That last one might be kinda gross. Maybe I’ll just have it as a snack.

.extraordinary measures.

We just watched this movie the other night (I finally got a library card, so I brought home a whole stack of movies!) and it’s fantastic. All you need to know is that it’s based on a true story and is so wonderfully done.

.oreo truffles.

I made these for Super Bowl and can’t wait to make them again. I even found completely GF oreo-type cookies!

[check out the recipe here]

.captain smith and pocahontas.

Yup, those are the first lyrics that pop into my head when I think of this song. Oy. Anywho, my Dance II kids are totally blown away by my tapping skills and have taken the challenge to heart to be super Fred Astaire smooth by May :) Since tap is my favorite genre of dance, I’m so so proud!

.rice cooker.

Ah, the rice cooker is finished cooking. I love that little machine. It’s amazing for making sushi. I’m thinking of making an instructional “how to make sushi” video since so many people have asked. What do you think?

.77 likes.

That means I only need 23 more on Facebook to hit 100!! Will you help out?

 …

BIG, FAT, AWESOME 200TH POST [the kind where you get the gifts...]

image from djcronin.blogspot.com

I can’t believe it’s already 200 posts! And it’s almost the 2 year blogaversary too – that’s got to mean something special :)

In celebration, I’ve gotten together with some of my favorite Etsy shops to get you some discounts! Happy Shopping. If you haven’t started Christmas shopping yet, this might be the perfect opportunity.

Please be sure to “like” the shops on Facebook and favorite them on Etsy to thank them for their participation.

Quietude Quilts on Etsy and Facebook

Coupon for quilts only.

(The Quietude Quilts owners are good friends of ours and I can tell you that their quality is unbeatable!)

amorita mexicana on Etsy and Facebook

Fetching Prints Photography on Etsy and Facebook

Fetching Prints Photography is also doing a “Buy One Get Two Free” event on Black Friday and Cyber Monday!

RArtsyDesigns on Etsy and Facebook

Heather Conway Photography on Etsy and Facebook

Krystarka’s Photo on Etsy and Facebook

Blissy Grey on Etsy and Facebook

Poppy Seed Props on Etsy and Facebook

Serendipity Chic on Etsy

Cottage On The Coast on Etsy and Facebook

(This shop is a good friend of ours as well and they have an awesome blog – check it out!)

The Hook Up on Etsy and Facebook

L Young Studio on Etsy and Facebook

Onshore Clothes on Etsy and Facebook

…

I thought I’d join in the fun and give you 20% off my shops as well:

The Dancing Frog on Etsy and on Facebook

Dancing Willow Photography on Etsy and Facebook

…

Plus, did you see the super special giveaway in honor of 200 posts?!

Friday Favorites: Serendipity Chic Giveaway

This week is the big 200th post! If you haven’t checked out the celebration yet, head on over to the party :)

My favorite thing this week is Serendipity Chic. It’s an Etsy shop run by my great friend Ana and she makes the cutest flower pins, headbands, and other accessories!

In honor of my 200th post, she’s made a special pin just for the occasion. Best of all, one of you gets to take it home!!

I got to model it to show you how cute it is – and it’s even red, white, and blue – just in time for Veteran’s day!

The flower is way cuter than my "end of a long week" hairdo :)

Are you excited? I'm excited for you!

It’s super easy to enter, just do any or all of the following:

1. Write a comment about a veteran in your life.
2. Share the giveaway with friends and family (via email, Facebook, and/or any other means!) and comment that you did so.
3. Read through the Big, Fat, Awesome, 200th Post and let me know that you checked it out.
4. Purchase something from any of the stores listed on the Big, Fat, Awesome, 200th Post and comment with the shop you purchased from and your purchase ID.
5. Blog about this giveaway and the Big, Fat, Awesome, 200th Post and include the link in the comments section.
6. Check out Serendipity Chic online and let me know what your favorite item is!

P.S. Use 20OFF for 20% off in Ana’s shop!

Ready, Set, Go! [Comments close Friday night - 11/18 - at 10pm PST]

…

Making this party even bigger by linking up with

So Many Favorites…

I have so many favorite things this week, prepare yourself!

.power clutch.

I LOVE this new Essie color for the fall! I’m not usually a fan of dark nail polish (a year ago I never even wore nail polish), but I’m addicted to this color. I’m pretty sure I’ll be wearing it all winter :)

.running shoes.

My old running shoes bit the dust this week. I was at T.J.Maxx and just happened to find this new pair on sale. Woot! They’re the new Reebok Tone style (they’ve got little balls on the sole) so I’m still getting used to them. The shoes are designed so a completely different parts of my feet take the brunt of the pressure. And they’re pink. I love that about them. (Just started running again after the great illness, so I’ll start posting about that again soon!!)

image from google.com search

.evolution of the dance.

Nope, not that super awesome YouTube sensation, but a new piece for the dance team! We’re working on our own version of dance through the last century, which includes the Charleston, Lindy Hop, Jive, Mashed Potato, Twist, Monkey, Disco, Popping, Hip Hop, and House Dancing. It’s going to be epic.

image from google.com search

.english breakfast.

Last night was English breakfast night. Yum! We enjoyed eggs, bacon, potatoes, Heinz tomato beans, and fresh orange juice. Makes me remember the good times back in the Motherland. *sight* I miss London.

.spring has arrived.

I apologize to my friends in the North East, but the weather in Vegas is gorgeous. It’s been in the 60s all week and I’m loving wearing jeans, sweaters, and my fleece since the mornings are so cool (all the way down to the 40s!!!!). It’s finally feeling like autumn in the Southwest, but it’s definitely Spring at The Dancing Frog! I just made this cute little spring hat for a friend and I can’t wait to make more.

.snuggles.

I get to hang out with this pup all weekend long and I’m so excited! We were watching Breakfast at Tiffanys yesterday and we fell asleep all warm and cozy (clearly, Tiffanys is not one of my favorite movies).

.green smoothies.

I had always been terrified of green smoothies. How could something with so many green leafy veggies be a sweet treat? I was so dead wrong. I’m truly addicted to green smoothies now. The main ingredients are kale, collards, apples, and pears; the taste is pure pear and apple. YUM!

.whoopie pies.

Did you see the post about my first GF baking success. Woot! I may fail another million times, but at least I’ve had one success!!!

Delicious pumpkin cookies!

See?! Lots of favorites this week :)

October Giveaway!!!

Is it really almost November?!

In honor of October, I’m sponsoring 2 (yup, two!!!) giveaways!

The Dancing Frog: If you can get 15 friends to “like” The Dancing Frog on Facebook, you’ll get a special coupon code for 15% off through Christmas! Just have your friends comment on the wall that you sent them!

Dancing Willow Photography: The first person to get 10 new friends to “like” the Dancing Willow Photography page will get an 8×10 print of their choosing (you can choose from the Facebook portfolio or what is already listed on Etsy). Have each friend comment on the Facebook wall that you sent them.

This just makes me so happy every time I look at it!

*BONUS GIVEAWAY* If you get a friend to purchase from one or both of the shops, you’ll get a special coupon code towards your next purchase. Just have your friend mention that you referred them in the message to the seller!

Giveaway ends Saturday, October 30th at 10pm PST.

There have been several new listings lately, so be sure to check out The Dancing Frog and Dancing Willow Photography on Etsy!

Gilcrease Orchard + Clara = Best Saturday ever (period)

Ana and I went to Gilcrease Orchard today. It was amazing :) We ate apple donuts, took lots of pictures, and bought cider and sweet potatoes!! The beauty of the day can only be summarized with my favorite pictures – most will be listed on Dancing Willow Photography by the end of the weekend.

Keep your eye out for these photos on Etsy!!

 

Friday Favorites (featuring Bling Day)

Yea, I know this post is technically Saturday Favorites, but I’m a big fan of alliteration, so I’m sticking with Friday.

first. Vanna’s Choice

OMG. I love this yarn. It’s what I’ve been working with most lately. It’s stocked with all the inexpensive yarns at Michaels, but wowee, it’s so soft and wonderful. I <3 it.

So many gorgeous colors, too!

image from google.com search

second. Christmas!

I’ve started working on some Christmas hats for the shop! Here’s a little preview of my current project

It's going to be an extra long santa hat with a bell on the end for toddlers :)

third. Pancakes

I’m having pancakes for breakfast this morning. No, they’re not gluten free. I had my first GI appointment on Wednesday, and the doctor agrees that it is some kind of wheat allergy. Which means I’m eating wheat like a mad woman so I can retake the Celiac panel again. And then I’m never ever eating wheat again. I’m dead serious. So today is my farewell to gluten-filled pancakes.

Yum.

fourth. Could You Do Me A Favor?

Would you please share my Etsy shops with all your friends and shout it from the mountain tops? The Dancing Frog is starting to fill up with children and babies’ hats and toys (all hand made). I’ll be adding more dolls soon. Dancing Willow Photography is full of my photography – you can order prints, metallic finish prints, black and whites, and note cards!

Don’t forget to like each one on Facebook (special discounts for “likers”).

I might even send you a special thank you for helping out!

fifth. Bling Day

Some of you know the tragedy of the Bling. She was the best car a girl could ask for. She was killed by a falling tree (in technical circles we like to say she was “hot-dogged”. I missed my annual memorial to the Bling when I was in Utah last weekend. I hope she is being used well to help other Ford Tauruses live on.

She could still turn on, the radio still played, and the doors still opened :(

Gosh, I miss that car (Elle, don’t be jealous). To see more pictures, check out this post.

…

Well, I guess that’s all for this week. It’s been a great party:

Miscellany Monday 9/26/11

The last Monday in September! How on earth did that happen?!

a. The Ball

I know most of you are waiting for ball pictures, so here are two of my favorites! It was a fabulous evening. The dinner was incredible and the comedian was so funny! I can’t remember his name, but he won Last Comic Standing.

At the most scrumptious dinner ever :)

At the Bellagio gardens - one of my favorite displays ever!

Sea Bass & Steak - it all melted on the plate before it even got to our mouths!

b. The Dancing Frog

My Etsy shop The Dancing Frog has had a lot of action lately! I have been working on several custom orders and am dreaming of more autumn and Christmas themed items to load up on. My friend recommended this crocheted Halloween costume for infants. I can’t wait to make it!

How cute is this little guy?!

c. Belly Issues

Thank you to everyone who has kept up on me and my belly issues. I spent last week going gluten free and saw a huge difference. At the ball I accidentally ate the bread (and didn’t realize it for at least 10 minutes!) and felt horrible through last night. I haven’t eaten any gluten since yesterday morning and am feeling infinitely better. To help get things back on track – or at least maintain until I see the GI doc – I’m taking this yummy stuff.

I keep trying to convince myself it's Tang - remember that stuff?!

d. Netflix

Have I ever told you how thankful I am for Netflix?! Not only has it provided me with unending Gordon Ramsay, but it gives me something to do while I can’t do much more than sit around and knit or crochet. Right now I’m watching Vanity Fair. It’s one of my favorite novels and I swear it has nothing to do with the fact that the heroine’s name is Becky (if you can call Becky Sharp a heroine).

Reese Witherspoon plays the coquettish Becky Sharp

e. And…they’re back…

We’re not a huge TV family (we don’t even have cable – imagine that!!), but there are a few shows that I care to indulge in as often as possible. I’ve got three favorites and one runner up!

Modern Family is always full of one liners that leave me guffawing and crying!

I don't know what is going to happen at Dunder Mifflin without Michael Scott!

I'm a physics teacher, of course I watch this show!!! Smart IS the new sexy :)

and my runner up…

My mom and I would rock this show. Just saying...

f. Brilliantly Sarcastic

I saw this link yesterday and it cracked me up. Here’s one of my favorites.

Beware The Crane, haha!

As always, it’s a party! Linking up to lowercase letters:

Miscellany Monday 9/19

Life has been so crazy that my blog has been neglected like a long forgotten friend! Miscellany Monday is always a good excuse to start writing again :)

a) Photography LEO

Once a month, the women’s of Keith’s residency (both wives and residents) get together to hang out (aka Ladies Evening Out). This week, we had the privilege of working with Amy Leavitt Photography and Cindergirl Photography, both of Las Vegas. We had a blast eating yummy snacks and learning to make the most of our cameras!

Lots of great tips to take home!

b) Pumpkin Hat

A friend commissioned a pumpkin hat for her infant and I think it turned out really well! I’m making all sorts of holiday and seasonal hats for infants to be listed with dolls and other handmade children’s toys at The Dancing Frog. Next I’ll be creating a Candy Corn Cap :)

Can't wait to see this on little Hannah B!

c) Jesus calling

I’ve been struggling with devotional time lately, but I have to share the book I’ve been using once again because it’s amazing! Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young, is the most insightful, encouraging, scripture-based devotional I’ve ever read. It’s so good I got a copy for my Grandmother for Mother’s Day and my sister one for graduation. It turns out two of my uncles are reading it as well. It is encouraging to hear that so many people in my family are starting their day with God’s promises.

Available almost anywhere - go find it!!

d) Sickness

Still waiting on most of my test results. Meanwhile, I’ve acquired a sinus cold and am down for the count. I was completely exhausted after 2nd Period, so I’ve decided to take tomorrow off in order to rest up for the rest of the week.

This is brilliant. I will do this with my children one day. It also makes me thankful that nausea and vomitting are not part of my symptoms!

e) Etsy Updates

Being sick has kept me from keeping up with Dancing Willow Photography. I hope to get back to it soon!

If you haven't, please "like" the shop on Facebook and Etsy!

f) Air Force Ball

The Annual Las Vegas Air Force Ball is on Saturday! I am so excited since it means getting dressed up, having a once-in-a-lifetime experience going to a ball at the Bellagio, and enjoying time with our friends who we are going with.

Only 5 days to go!!

g) Serendipity Chic

Last, but certainly not least, is my new favorite Etsy shop! If you love fun little accessories, you’ve got to check out Serendipity Chic – it just opened this week by my good friend Ana (yes, from Ana’s Lifesense) and I’ve got my eye on quite a few of her pieces! Check her out and give her some business!

I have a feeling this one will end up in my wardrobe one of these days!

That’s all for now! Don’t forget that it’s a party – linking up to:

all images from google.com image search with the exception of the last two, which are from their respective shops/blogs.

Miscellany Monday 8/29/10

It’s another Miscellany Monday! There’s a lot swirling around in my head, so I can’t promise any of this is coherent :)

1.  FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Woot! Today was another first day of school. I worked through my bad attitude over the weekend and was so ready for today. It was really fun to check out my blog post from last year’s first day (my very first day ever as a teacher). If you check out these pictures, you might notice some differences between then and now.

End of First Day 2010-2011 School Year

End of First Day 2011-2012 School Year

2. PAINTING THE DANCE STUDIO

Some of you have followed the saga of painting the dance studio at school. Here’s the progress from today.

The wall I painted today...

The drop cloths two of my dance team boys put up so I can paint more this week!!

The kids have been so pleased with the results – one even exclaimed, “I feel so inspired!”. (Note: this kid’s hair looks just like Rufio in Hook, but he’s too young to get the reference, so it drives me CRAZY! I’ll have to do a side by side comparison one of these days).

3. THE FINGER

Thanks to everyone who has checked up on my finger. I still refuse to go the ER because it seems to be healing well. :)

(I now spare you the anguish of a picture of a chunk of my finger falling off, you’re welcome).

4. B.R.A.T.

Keith likes to call my an Air Force brat. What he really means is that I’m only eating

• B.ananas
• R.ice
• A.pplesauce
• T.oast

Oh yea, and lots of Powerade! Yay electrolytes :)

I won’t get into the details of my diet change (and you definitely don’t want a picture), but let’s just say I’ve been under the weather due to some poor food choices.

I now leave you with a picture of my favorite brat from fictional literature:

Eustace Scrubb from Voyage of The Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

image from narnia.wiki.com

5. BOOK

I’ve been reading this book lately. It’s really good. Can’t wait to share more with you when I’m done!

Captivating story telling always makes for a good read!

image from google.com search

6. GORDON RAMSEY

Remember when I confessed my undying guilty obsession with Kitchen Nightmares (was that really only a week ago?!)? Well, now Keith’s hooked too. I’m so proud!

7. END OF AUGUST, MEANS THE END OF 50% OFF!

Yup, I’m sad to say it, but there are only two days left in the 50% off sale at Dancing Willow Photography! Just use BIRTHDAY50 at checkout for your discount!

Did I mention there's a 50% discount in my shop for two more days?!

…

It’s a party! Linking up to Miscellany Monday: