Have you entered to win $500?? So excite

Have you entered to win $500?? So excited for this giveaway! Enter between August 1-14. Head over to my blog for more details….

Double Pallet Platform Bed

For the past few months I have been on the hunt for a platform bed for my oldest son.  I have searched the internet, looked at countless furniture stores and researched plenty of DIY sites. 

Finally I found plans for a platform bed that my son liked and my brother who is awesome with woodworking agreed to build it.  In the plans the original builder noted that this bed would have to be built inside the room it would be placed in and that all bolts would need to be removed to move the bed.  Since we’ll be moving in a few weeks my brother agreed to build it at our new house.  However, the more I thought about it the less committal I felt.

Proud To Be An American * Celebrate

Campfire-Less Youth Group S’Mores

My very first memory of S’mores is NOT from a chilly evening filled with mountain air on a family camp trip with aunts, uncles, and cousins circled around a campfire as creamy white marshmallows melted off of skewers and sticks that we all held over the red and orange flames.

That is actually my second memory of making S’mores.

My very FIRST memory of S’mores is from a youth group meeting in the fellowship hall at the church I attended growing up in my small hometown. 

Hand Winged Bald Eagle

The Bald Eagle is our National Bird.  With all the red, white, and blue crafts and décor this week a Bald Eagle sounded like the perfect symbol of freedom to add to our Independence Week.

This fun project turned out to be my little guy’s favorite of all time.  HE LOVES HIS EAGLE.

Upcycled Patriotic Windsock

Happy July!  This month I will be contributing two blog posts on Typically Simple.  Today I’m excited to kick off the new month over on Typically Simple showcasing my festive outdoor décor.

Click here to learn how I created these Upcycled Patriotic Wind Socks to celebrate summer, Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day.

And a big thank you to Kelly for publishing my July craft post on her website!
– T

Linked up:  Whimsy Wednesday   Works For Me Wednesday   Weekend Re-Treat

Win A $20 Gift Card To Amazon.com

Another give away begins today!

This week I am teaming up with the Tiny Trinket Shop to give away a $20 Gift Card to Amazon.com.

To enter:  Click on the WIN image then “follow”, “like” and “favorite” us on Social Media!

If you are already a fan of tagsthoughts.com and/or Tiny Trinket Shop you can STILL enter; just click the “I already Like…” option.

Entries to win the Amazon.com Gift Card must be received by 11:59p on Saturday, July 5.  Winner will be announced on Sunday, July 6.

Good Luck!
– T

P.S.  Check out this lovely hand embroidered pillow that I won via a random Rafflecopter Drawing on Rachel Rossi’s website.  And be sure to follow Rachel for fantastic reads & fun decorating tips!

Baked Fajita Taquitos (IN EGG ROLLS)

These Baked Fajita Taquitos were a HUGE hit with my family.  The bonus is that they are baked & wrapped in Egg Roll Wraps which makes them a bit healthier than the typical Taquito.

Onions are not favored in our home and so they did not make the ingredient list however these Taquitos can be filled with any Mexican favorites of those surrounding the table to partake.

Carlsbad Strawberry Farm

A fixture along Interstate 5 in Carlsbad, California – the Carlsbad Strawberry Company has owned the farmland that can be seen from the freeway since 1948. 

This local farm sells Strawberries at Farmer’s Markets around San Diego County, packages and sells them commercially by Aviara Farms, AND even better there is an area open to the public as “U-Pick”.

When in season this Farm is on my “San Diego Favorites” List. 

Ten Minute Play Dough; Endless Fun

Play Dough is a daily activity at our house.  We use cookie cutters, rolling pins, toothpicks, and even hot wheels to create, mold, and let our imaginations run wild!

This Ten Minute Play Dough recipe requires five ingredients that you likely already have tucked away in your pantry, requires no cooking, and is easily ready for endless fun in just minutes…

2 Weeks * 2 Giveaways * 7 entries/Week

I’m teaming up with Carrie over at Tiny Trinket Shop to give away two gift cards! 

Week 1:  $20 Gift Card to spend on personalized merchandise at the Tiny Trinket Shop on Etsy
Week 2:  $20 Gift Card to Amazon.com

To enter:  Click on the image below then “follow”, “favorite”, and “like” us on Social Media!  If you are already a fan of tagsthoughts.com and/or Tiny Trinket Shop you can STILL enter; just click the “I already Like…” option.  There will be a few different follow options during Week 2 however both weeks will have 7 ways to enter.  Winners will be contacted on 6/29 & 7/6.

Entries to win the Tiny Trinket Gift Card must be received by 11:59p on Saturday, June 28.

Good Luck!
– T

Date Night ~ Paint Night

For my birthday one of my mother-in-laws gifted me with a Paint Night Gift Certificate for my husband and myself.

Neither.  Of.  Us.  Are.  Artists.  Not even close.  We can not even stay in the lines when we color with our three year old.

We quickly found out that we did not need to be artists to create something we actually liked; all the while laughing our way through a fun date.

Mt. Soledad Veteran’s Memorial

Stunning.  Absolutely breathtaking.

These views are not to be missed.  Add Mt. Soledad to your San Diego “must see” list.

On a clear day visitors can see the Coronado Bridge in Downtown San Diego all the way to the Torrey Pines Gliderport and all the places in between.

SO CAL BATON HAND OFF – IT’S MY TURN

It’s been a while since I ran relay in track…
A. LONG. WHILE. 

However, like riding a bike you never really forget how to pass and hold on to a baton, right?  Scratch that.  Those handoffs do take a lot of practice. 

Fortunately, the baton I’m holding today is all about covering some Southern California ground while taking photos and posting them on Instagram…  SHEW!!

Julie over at Girl on the Move is hosting the SoCal Baton and today is my day to share some of the San Diego area via photos.  I plan to carry the SoCal Baton to two of my favorite locations to view America’s Finest City and maybe I’ll stop in at a couple other of my favorite places along the way.

Pineapple Protein Shake

This is my favorite way to enjoy a Protein Shake; mostly because I LOVE PINEAPPLE!!

Blend:
1 Cup Frozen Pineapple
1 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1 Scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds (*soaked)
2 Tablespoons Honey

This recipe makes 2 servings and contains 230 calories per serving.

Substitutions:
– Fresh Pineapple; Add a cup of Ice
– Replace Honey with preferred Natural Sweetener

* Soak 1 Tablespoon of Chia Seeds in 2 Tablespoons of warm/hot water for 4-5 minutes; until soft/gelatin like.

Cheers!
– T

Linking Up:  Tasty Tuesday   Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday
Fantastic Thursday   Weekend No Rules Blog Hop    Creative Corner Hop

Must Have Dry Shampoo

Let’s talk Dry Shampoo.  If you have not yet been introduced, are still using Baby Powder to freshen up your locks, or have held out on purchasing a can of the good stuff this is the article for you.  Read all about my thoughts on salon grade dry shampoo down to the grocery store finds.  Dry Shampoo is a necessity for your “no wash” days, refreshing your style before an evening out, for overnight camping trips, and is a great way to keep your bangs looking fresh.

The VERY best Dry Shampoo on the market is Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder.  Without a doubt.  The best.  Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder comes in a variety of hair colors/shades and while some other brands leave a white residue behind (ah-hem, Big Sexy Hair), Bumble and Bumble’s dry cleansing powder does not.  Their product matches individual hair color and goes on without notice and without build up.  This dry spray does not add weight, rather it adds the perfect boost and revives some much needed volume.  Bumble and Bumble costs approximately $36 and can only be purchased at participating salons.  A can lasts quite a while and it is definitely worth the cost and the drive to the salon.

Happy Father’s Day to all the heroes referred to as Dad, Daddy & Step-dad

Five Minute Friday: “Messenger”

Messenger.  That is the word chosen this week by author, Lisa-Jo Baker, for Five Minute Friday.  And so the clock begins ticking as hundreds of bloggers participate in our weekly free writing flash mob…

Messenger brings to mind the great Pastors I have been blessed to know and receive the word from.

Dr George Tolman was the messenger of my childhood who was soft spoken, had an infectious smile, offered the best children’s sermon and had an impressive collection of Snoopy ties. He pastored my family through weddings, baptisms, funerals and everything in between.  Dr Tolman was a Godly man who shared a biblical message in everything he did.

The Reverend Frankie Oliver counseled me through a difficult adolescence. Her unwavering  love and most forgiving heart was one that my family counted on.  Frankie taught me to rely on God and helped me to truly understand and believe that ”with God all things are possible”.  She is a Pastor, a Counselor, and a Friend.

In more recent years my messengers have been two congregational Pastors.  Both with amazing gifts to share scripture through relatable stories and with engaging animation.  Pastor David Shirey was my Granddad’s best friend.  He dedicated and baptized my oldest son, baptized my husband, counseled my family through the loss of my Granddad, and officiated at our wedding.  And Pastor Brian Frederick-Gray dedicated my youngest son and continues to energetically serve our home church in Arizona.

These messengers have offered me weekly sermons, shared hugs & giggles, dried my tears and have been there in my life’s most memorable moments.

I thank God for these messengers.
– T

Summer 2014 Bucket List

This 2014 Summer Bucket List was created by both myself and my three year old;
the fluorescent pedicure is for Momma however if my tot has any say in the color I will likely have ten different neon colored toes!

1.  Visit Family
2.  Make a Tie Dye T-shirt
3.  Water Gun Fight
4.  Find the perfect spot to view more
than one Fireworks show on the 4th
5.  Go to Disneyland
6.  Make S’mores
(and then make them again)
7.  Pay for a stranger’s tea or coffee
8.  Go on a Family Picnic
9.  Visit three different beaches
10.  Go to a Baseball Game
11.  Discover a new Splash Pad
12.  Build an Elaborate Sand Castle
13.  Buy & Fly a Kite
14.  Bike Coronado Island
15.  Run through the Sprinklers
16.  Send a gift card & a drawing to
someone unsuspecting
17.  Get a Florescent Pedicure
18.  Skip a Rock
19.  Watch the Sunrise
20.  Create a new Dessert that
tastes like Summer

 

We were able to cross a couple items off our summer bucket list when my sister was here the first week of June.  We will continue to post photos on Instagram as we make more memories from our bucket list including my pedicure that may or may not make next summer’s list.

What about your list?  What fun summer plans have you made?  Comment to share!

Here’s to sunny days and memories made.
– T

Linking up:  Treasure Box Tuesday

A Salty & Sweet Treat

Two ingredients.  Twenty minutes.  Salty & Sweet Goodness.  YUM.

Ingredients:
– 1 Box of Ritz
– 1 Large Bag of Rolos

Directions:
Preheat Oven to 350*
Layer Ritz crackers on baking sheet (bottom side up); Unwrap Rolos and place one on each Ritz cracker; Bake at 350* for 3 minutes.  Remove from oven and place additional Ritz Cracker (bottom side down) on Rolo then lightly press down to sandwich.  Chill to set.
Enjoy!  – T

Linking up:  Tasty Tuesday  Work It Wednesday   Fantastic Thursday    Weekend Re-Treat  Project Inspire{d}    Treasure Box Tuesday    Nifty Thrifty Sunday