A couple of surprises...

I love surprises. Yesterday, I got a couple of them. I stopped at the mail box on my way home and found a card from my sister. My nickname since I was 18 has been B and that is what all my nieces and nephews call me. My sister and put this in the card. She said she was somewhere and saw it and knew I would love it. And I do. It is just too cute. 

Then a friend of mine stopped by. She had bought me this t-shirt to help support a local girls fight with cancer. She knows believe is one of my favorite words. 

I loved both of my surprises. 

Weekend Wrap Up

It was a great weekend but it just went by to fast. I had my two granddaughters Saturday and Sunday. 

I did get a pair of shoes. I couldn't decide if I liked the look but they fit all my other requirements and the comfort level is out of this world. I've been breaking them in around the house and I can't believe how great my feet feel in them. They came with this brochure about all the inner material construction and why they are so good for being on your feet all day. I am very happy with my decision.

I can't decide how I want to do my nails when I go to conference. I bought some new polish to experiment with. 

Check out my new pink bling cup. I love a good thermal cup for travel. 

We are supposed to wear some bling when we go to our General Session meeting. I am not a big bling person but this costume jewelry for .50 cents at Walmart will at least meet the bling requirement for my group. 

My book light died and new batteries couldn't even restore it. I found this one at the Dollar Tree and it is perfect. 

In another one of my Pyrex trades on Facebook, I scored the Butterfly Gold 403. Her item she traded me only cost $5.85 to ship so this was an awesome deal for me. 

Well, time to go out into the real world and face the day. Have a great Monday.

Sunday morning song...

Some excitement in the air.....

It's is getting closer and closer for Thirty-One's National Conference and this will be my first year to get to go.

The excitement is building as we chatter on Facebook about our schedules, our clothes, our hotels. I think the one speaker everyone is looking forward to hearing the most is Leigh Anne Tuohy. Leigh Anne's inspirational story was the basis for the movie The Blind Side.

My Director sent us all a little gift she had made especially for conference. I got mine Thursday. I just love it. 

The most repeated comment from past conference goers is WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. After weeks and weeks of research, taking polls and asking everybody I know, I have come to the conclusion the most comfortable shoe is going to be Skecher's Go Walk. I went the last couple of weeks and tried on some different shoes besides Skechers and I must admit I think either Skecher's Go Walks or something in Skechers new Memory Foam line is going to be what I get. I am heading out today to buy a pair. Here are some of the ones I have liked.

My daughter tells me that I need to get away from so much "bright white" on my tennis shoes. I'm just so old fashioned when it comes to tennis shoes. But call me crazy, I kinda sorta like these in the gray.

But many people have recommended the slip on Go Walks. I'm just not sure how they will look on my little size 5 1/2 feet. 

Then again, I might just go plumb crazy and get something with a pop of color.

Who knows what I'll end up with. But since I am going to the Skecher outlet and I have a 20% off coupon and time is running out, TODAY is the day I will finally decide. 

Half-way homemade Texas Sheet Cake

I love Texas sheet cake, but it can take awhile to make from scratch. And it fills a jelly roll pan which is way too much cake for just me and hubby. So I found a simple fix. 

First, I fix a box of Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix and make it by the recipe on the back for the chewy fudge brownies.

Make them by the box directions on add 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon to the ingredients and bake in a 9 x 13 pan as directed.

As soon as you take them out of the oven, start on your icing. In a small saucepan, mix 4 tablespoons of Hershey cocoa, 6 tablespoons of milk. After you mix those two items together, cut up and add one stick of butter. Place pan on the stove and stir constantly until butter melts and bring to a boil. Be careful on this step. You just want it to start boiling. If you way till it gets to a rolling boil the butter will start to separate and it will not mix as well. Once it comes to a boil, remove from the heat.

Pour the heated mixture over 1 box 10x confectioners sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. (I forgot to say to put these ingredients in a mixing bowl BEFORE you start cooking the cocoa and milk). 

Mix until blended smoothly and then pour over the warm brownies. You will have a nice version of a Texas sheet cake that doesn't take nearly as long to make. 

Co-ordinating Bags

It started out when Thirty-One introduced a new pattern this past spring called Navy Wave. Well, I just had to order my favorite bag, the organizing utility tote in the new pattern. And of course I had to have my signature B on it. 

Then of course I had to have the matching pocket-a-toe snaps into the grommets and makes an inside pocket. And I had to get the matching medium thermal zipper pouch. I am in love with both of thes. 

But I do miss my floral so I ordered a mini zipper pouch in the coordinating pattern, paradise pop on the right. And I had to get the little birdies...well, just because they are little birdies and I love them. I also got the little hang it up key fob in the paradise pop pattern. 

And our recent Celebrate & Connect meeting, we all received these adorable lunch totes for free.....just for attending!! I love that it is in a color that coordinates with the teal on my navy wave bag. 

And just last month, our special was the large utility tote and I got one for just $10. I ordered the Paradise pop in keeping with my new theme. 

I head out for conference in a couple of weeks and I am trying to decide what of my new bags I need to take. I am really loving them all. 

Some cute party decor

A friend of mine spent the 4th in Michigan and celebrated the 4th and then her parents 50th anniversary. Here were some cute decorations they had for the two parties. 

They made these little pinwheels. They are adorable. She is going to teach me how.

I absolutely loved her Mason jars with burlap and ribbon. These flowers looked beautiful in them. 

But one of my favorites was how she lined a planter with burlap and filled it with peanuts. I am sure they had a blast eating this. I just thought this was a great idea.