just a few of my favorite things...

 This is by Amy Brown "Shy"

But I call it the Margaux Fairy...

someday I might get it as a tattoo

 so true...

 LOVE THIS! 

 I would so have this in my backyard if I could. 

 Pretty! 

 We should be our own cheerleaders more often...

 I wanna take photos like this someday! 

Couldn't resist this one! 

ALL IMAGES ARE FROM GOOGLE

I take no credit for any of the images...I am merely admiring & sharing them! 

zucchini bread

My family & I love zucchini bread so much it never lasts too long in the house.
I think it's time I made some. It's kid & picky husband friendly!
Here's a recipe that I originally got from
http://www.allrecipes.com/ & altered just a 'bit.

ENJOY!

This makes 2 loaves...

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups grated zucchini (Press grated zucchini in strainer to remove some of the moisture)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Sift together flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, baking powder.
3. Beat eggs. Add and mix well sugar, vanilla, and oil. Add zucchini to egg mixture. Add dry ingredients, mixing well. Stir in nuts if desired. Pour into 2 ungreased loaf pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.

End of the Year...

Well, Christmas has come & gone...as well as New Year's Day.

My little munchkin-Christmas 2010

This holiday season seemed to fly by. 

It was a great time for myself & my family.

 I'm happy that we all got to spend time together. 

Another thing I am thankful for this Christmas is that I was 

for the 1st time I was able to buy Christmas presents without completely 

stressing out about paying the bills, buying presents, etc etc. 

I don't mean to sound materialistic; it's just an accomplishment 

and a blessing to finally be on the 

right track financially.

We've got a ways to go of course, 

but it was so nice to not have to worry so much. 

Know what I mean? 

Anyway...2011 is here...

And  I am determined to make it a FABULOUS year! 

I have some heavy new years resolutions, 

and I plan on stickin' to 'em! 

That in itself is a resolution. 

I'm not very good at staying on track...

I get bored, I forget, I come with something else,

and then get bored and forget about it too. 

I'm a little ADD, okay, maybe a lot ADD. 

BUT, that is a goal...

STICK WITH THINGS, FOLLOW THROUGH

FOCUS MARGAUX!! 

GOAL #1. 

Clean out the clutter! 

I am TERRIBLE about clutter, 

but I am sooo tired of it. 

SO, I am cleaning out my closet, 

I know I won't EVER 

be a size 0, hell,

 I won't be a size 3 ever again. 

So there is NO use keeping clothes I won't

ever wear! 

GOAL #2. 

GET FIT!! 

I have a gym membership, 

I have a shake weight

 (thanks Dad & April!!)

And I have a Kinect, 

which is a workout even without the fitness games!

So I have no reason 

to put off getting fit. 

The past 2 yrs I have put on so

much weight. And I don't like it, damnit! 

 I miss being cute & skinny, and

most of all 

I miss feeling good about myself! 

This is my motivation photo---THIS was AFTER

I had Cyrus sooo it IS possible!! 

Damn, what happened!?!? 

Goal #3. 

Scrapbook More! 

I love to scrapbook, I love my photos

of my family & friends. Yet, it has been 

over a year since I have scrapbooked. 

I've got plenty of stuff, plenty of photos, 

I just need to get them printed & get going! 

You gotta have a hobby, 

You gotta do what you love! 

Goal #4. 

Enjoy the last few "baby" months

before he goes to Kindergarten! 

Okay, so technically he hasn't been a baby for quite some

time, but it just seems like once he's actually in school...

real school, not preschool...that he will no longer be MY BABY! 

Any bit of lingering baby-ness will dissolve 

one he walks through those elementary school doors. 

This is a saddening thought for a mama. 

So my goal is to soak up as much time with him

having fun,  doing mommy & son things, 

things school kids can't do! 

This was then...

And this is now. 

And Goal #5. 

ENJOY EVERY DAY! 

I mean it, I want to enjoy every day. 

Life is precious, so fleeting, and so important. 

My goal is to quit worrying about the little stuff, 

& cherish each moment. 

Less griping with the husband over nonsense, 

less fussing at the kiddo for things that don't matter, 

less worrying over things that can't, won't or don't need to change

&& JUST BE HAPPY! 

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY 2011!!

2011 PHOTOS from Google Images

Wild Olive Tees

While reading one of my favorite's...

The Pioneer Woman... http://thepioneerwoman.com/  

{you should check her out. She's a hoot && chuck full of good info...}

I discovered "Wild Olive Tees". It's a super cute company with religious/bible verse tee-shirts that are just BEAUTIFUL! I plan on ordering something soon, but wanted to share with everyone else. 

http://store.wildolivetees.com/women-c12.aspx

Peppermint Bark

One of my favorite things to make at Christmas time is peppermint bark.

It's super easy, yummy, snackable, sweet & addicting!

Some people make it with milk & white chocolate,

but I prefer it with just white chcocolate.

Here's how I make it:

 White chocolate morsels-1(12oz.) package

Peppermint Candies

or Candy Canes-

About 6 candy canes or 1 cup candies

1. Melt chocolate morsels in the microwave or stovetop.

{ If using the stovetop it is best to use a double boiler so you don't burn the chocolate-if using a microwave only use 50% power and heat for a few seconds at a time, stiring & then heating again 'till chocolate morsels are creamy & melted. I have also heard of adding a tsp of cooking oil to keep them moist & creamy. The key to melting the chocolate morsels on the

stove or microwave is PAY ATTENTION, a little at time! I have ruined chocolate by heating it to quickly-it turns chunky & dry-YUCK! = ) }

2. Place candy in a large plastic bag & break up into little bits using at rolling pin or other large object. Try not to crush it too much, you want small bits, not peppermint powder...another thing I learned the hard way. ( Although, this STILL makes pretty bark, and the peppermint tastes a little stronger. )

3. Mix the melted white chocolate & peppermint bits together and spread this mixture on a cookie sheet. You can melt a little milk chocolate & drizzle on top for a pretty effect if your heart desires it. Pop the cookie sheet in the fridge for about an hr or so untill the bark has set. Break up the bark in pieces & ENJOY! Store in an air-tight container at room temp for best results.

Photos from Google



Ol' Saint Nick is coming to town...

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."  ~Norman Vincent Peale

 ONLY 15 days 'till Christmas!  

Enough is Enough!

Well, day after day I am frustrated by getting dressed & ready because NOTHING fits me, or fits me right. I have gone up & up in pant sizes, and I've had enough! My confidence level has dropped as the number on the scale goes up. I don't love what I see in the mirror, and the thought of wearing a bathing suit makes me want to cringe. SO, enough is enough.

I am starting a healthy eating/living goal TODAY!

I'm not going to do a specific diet, rather a combination of counting my Weight Watchers points{since thanks to my Mom I have all the stuff : ) } and following the NO FAST FOOD{unless it's healthy} RULE. I will start at the gym on Thursday A.M. And I will be keeping a food diary.

I don't want to be stick skinny, and I don't expect to look like I did before I had my son. I just want to be happy, healthy, and comfortable in my own skin.

So here goes nothing...WISH ME LUCK! Hahaha...and self control!

Anybody else interested in dropping a few & getting healthy? Check out self.com-they have lots of diet/workout goals/plans. As well as different health calculators, an online food diary and when you sign up you get entered to WIN prizes. It's a great website & I recommend it!